No selfies during high tide in Bengal town

Moving a step beyond Goa administration that is planning ‘no-selfie zones’ along its coastline, the police in Bengal’s popular beach town of Digha has decided to ban selfies during high tide altogether in an effort to curb deaths of tourists.

District police bosses have decided to arrest anyone violating the directive and moving close to the water during high tide to click selfies.

The decision was taken against the backdrop of eight deaths of tourists who drowned in the past one month, allegedly while clicking selfies during high tides.

“Though the police, civic volunteers and members of disaster management teams regularly urge tourists to stay away from the water during high tide, many don’t pay heed. We also have started cordoning off the Digha beach with yellow ropes to stop tourists from going near the sea during high tide,” said Indrajit Basu, additional superintendent of police (rural) of East Midnapore district.

“If we find anyone near or in the water during high tide trying to click pictures, we will arrest him,” added Basu.

An officer of Digha police station said the offender will be arrested under section 290 of the IPC that deals with punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for.

“He will also be slapped a fine of ₹200,” said the officer.

“We are compelled to take strict measures. There have been several deaths and we can’t afford to take any chances,” said Akhil Giri, local MLA and vicechairman of the Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA).

A few watch towers will shortly be pressed into service from where vigil will be maintained on the coastline.

However, there will be no restrictions during low tides, said officers.

The police have also started addressing tourists over microphones to keep safe distance during high tides.

Board with warnings have also been put up.

MIDNAPORE:

Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress on Wednesday constituted a three-member committee to study veteran party leader Saifuddin Soz’s book which has been in the eye of a political storm due to controversial excerpts.

Prior to the release of his book - “Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle”, Soz stoked controversy by backing former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf’s assessment that Kashmiris will opt for independence if given a chance. Reportedly, his book also endorses the view.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President GA Mir has constituted a committee to study the book written by Soz, party’s chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said.

The committee will comprise of senior party leaders Amrit Malhotra, S Gurmukh Singh and G N Mir Laszan, he added.

JAMMU: