Odisha cops to charge protesters for damage caused to property
Bhubaneswar and Cuttack police have decided to make protest organisers sign an indemnity bond for smooth conduct of such rallies.
Bhubaneswar police commissioner YB Khurania said the move to be operational from January next year would ensure that bandh organisers would have to pay fine if any damage was caused to government or private property because of the protest.
The move comes three months after BJD workers vandalised vehicles during a protest held against fuel price hike.
The latest diktat has come at a time when the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to levy charges for protestors marching through the city thoroughfares.
BHUBANESWAR:
As per BMC’s plan, ₹500 a day will be charged for a protest gathering up to 100 people, and ₹1,000 a day if the number crosses 500. Moreover, for every extra person beyond 500, the civic body will charge ₹5 per head. It is also planning to charge ₹5,000 a day for taking out marriage processions. the city witnesses around 2,000 ceremonies a year. BMC officials said agitators would not be allowed to carry plastic bags and sheets as they violate Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016.
Though the proposal has already been criticised by various political parties, BMC commissioner Dr Krishan Kumar said no decision had been taken on the draft proposals so far.