| Anti-nationals deface public places with provocative messages, Govt unmoved | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Sept 3: The anti-defacement law seems to be confined to papers as the authorities are silent over anti-national graffitis in parts of Srinagar.
Anti-defacement law literally known as The Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of defacement of Property Act, 1985 calls for strict punishment against the person found defacing the government property.
As per this law, whosoever defaces any property in public view by writing or marking with ink, chalk, paint or any other material shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.
However, there seems no implementation of the law despite anti-national graffiti are seen at several places in Srinagar city. "Some elements are having a field day as the authorities are not acting against these people who deface public places," a police official said.
Even on the walls of Government Women's College Maulana Azad Road in the heart of Srinagar city, graffiti supporting militants are there. Many such anti-national graffiti are also found at several places in Srinagar city.
"There are CCTV cameras in Lal Chowk. If the Srinagar Municipal Corporation wants to act against these people, police will provide them all help as we can easily identify who is behind this," the official said.
However, the official said that Srinagar Municipal Corporation authorities seem not interested to implement the anti-defacement law. "Police can provide all possible help but the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has to take the initiative," the official said.
From past few weeks, the official said the anonymous youth have been painting brushes to anti-national acts. These have emerged all over the city on walls, metallic shutters, roads and walls government buildings.
The separatists have also called the people several times to paint slogans on roads, walls and other public places.
While a senior SMC official said anybody caught defacing the government property will be dealt strictly by the corporation.
"The act is always there. Nowadays we see many notifications, writings on the government property which is completely in violation to the rule. Without permission, if anybody is found indulging in such activities will be booked under law," he said.
"Police is there to see it besides we will also charge whosoever is found guilty of drawing anything without permission," he said.
The law defines the defacement as impairing or interfering with the appearance or beauty, damaging, disfiguring, spoiling or injuring in any other way or whatsoever.
And the property includes any building, hut, structure, monument, statue, wall, tree, fence or vehicle. |
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