The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): On Tuesday, Assam Police dispatched formal notices to various opposition groups, mandating the cessation of the planned hartal in protest of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), under the threat of impending legal repercussions. These directives were issued to ensure compliance with the law, as officials highlighted the potential for disruption and public disturbance stemming from the hartal initiated by the 16-party coalition, United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA).
The legal notices, issued on March 11, underscore the potential for peace breaches and security concerns, suggesting that the ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ scheduled for March 12 could severely disrupt the tranquility and daily lives of the state’s residents. “It has been observed from the press note released by the ‘United Opposition Forum’ that your organization has called for a ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ across Assam. This action is anticipated to precipitate a breach of peace and jeopardize the security, leading to significant disruptions,” the notices elucidated.
Further, the Assam Police emphasized that such a hartal could result in blockades of highways and railway tracks, actions deemed illegal and unconstitutional by various judicial precedents, including rulings from the Supreme Court of India, Kerala High Court, and Gauhati High Court. Consequently, the notices demanded the withdrawal of the hartal, urging cooperation in sustaining peace within the state.
The notices sternly cautioned against any non-compliance, stating, “Failure to adhere to this directive will compel us to initiate legal action against individuals on a personal basis. Moreover, should the ‘Sarbatmak Hartal’ result in any damage to public or private properties, or inflict injury upon citizens, legal proceedings under the appropriate laws will be pursued against the involved parties, with the recovery of damages being sought from your organization.”
Director-General of Police, GP Singh, shared these notices on social media platforms, reiterating the police’s commitment to preventing damage to public assets and safeguarding the populace against any potential hazards arising from the protests.
As of the latest reports, no adverse incidents have been registered in the wake of these directives. The Assam Police have heightened security measures across the state, including increased police presence, heightened alertness at all police stations, and the establishment of checkpoints on major roadways, especially in Guwahati, a city with a history of violent protests related to this issue in December 2019.
This preemptive move by the Assam Police aims to avert the upheaval and maintain public order amidst the contentious atmosphere surrounding the CAA, stressing the importance of law and order while navigating the complex landscape of political dissent and civil rights.
