Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
srinagar, May 30: The increase in rioting cases in Jammu and Kashmir has renewed focus on immediate implementation of a law for safeguarding of property.
The government has proposed Jammu and Kashmir Public Property Prevention of Damage (Amendment) Bill for safeguarding of property.
The bill proposed that whosoever calls for direct action, whether he participated in such action directly or indirectly, which results in damage to private or public property, shall be deemed to be guilty of offence under the Act.
"When the question is whether a person has caused damage to public or private property and has committed offence under the Act, the Court may presume having regard to all other circumstances of the case, that such offence has been committed or abetted," the legislation said.
It also listed guidelines for the police officers or other law enforcing agencies, who will be authorized to video graph the evidence by availing services of videographers concentrating on the persons indulging in acts of violence or destruction and damage of public and private property.
According to official figures accessed by Early Times, four to five rioting cases get registered on an average daily in Jammu and Kashmir. Most of them are reported from the valley.
During 2015, 1157 rioting cases were registered. While during 2016, police registered 3410 rioting cases. This means during unrest, over 20 cases of rioting got registered under Sec 147, 151 and 153 A IPC.
However, during 2017, there was less number of rioting cases than 2016. During the last three years, 2015, 2016, 2017, around 6000 rioting cases have been registered. Most these incidents have taken place in Kashmir.
"We need some strict laws to deal with miscreants. The government has proposed a law, which will ensure safeguarding of property," a police official, said.
A riot is a form of civil disorder commonly characterized by a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property or people. Riots involve vandalism and the destruction of property, public or private.
To tighten the noose, government has proposed Jammu and Kashmir Public Property Prevention of Damage (Amendment) Bill that whosoever commits mischief in respect of any private and public property due to direct actions, whether declared or not, shall be punished with imprisonment, that shall not be less than two years but may extend up to five years with fine equivalent to the market value of damaged or destroyed property.
"The bill is for the protection of people. Government can't stop and watch as mute spectator. We have to think how to safeguard people's lives and property," a PDP minister said, wishing not to be named.
"Whosoever commits mischief by fire or explosive substance shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than two years but extendable by 10 years and fine equivalent to market value of the property damaged or destroyed," the legislation proposed. |
