In view of the ensuing festivals in the month of April 2020,
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all States/UTs to ensure
strict compliance of lockdown measures to fight COVID—19 and not allow any
social/religious gathering/procession.
It has been communicated to inform District authorities and
field agencies on the specific prohibitions as mentioned in the Consolidated
Guidelines on Lockdown Measures and that they should take all required
precautionary/preventive measures for maintenance of law and order, peace and
public tranquillity. Appropriate vigil on social media should also be maintained
against circulation of any objectionable content, the communication adds.
The communication has further requested that for the attention
of the public authorities, social/religious organisation and citizens, the
respective provisions of the guidelines should be widely circulated. It adds
that for violation of any lockdown measure, action under the relevant penal
provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and IPC should be taken by the
law enforcing agencies.
The consolidated guidelines on the lockdown measures to be taken
by Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory
Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities for containment of COVID-19
epidemic in the country were notified by Ministry of Home Affairs on 24.03.2020
and further modified on 25.03.2020, 27.03.2020, 02.04.2020 and 03.04.2020.
Clause 9 & 10 of the Consolidated Guidelines state that no religious
congregation will be permitted without any exception and all
social/ cultural/ religious functions/ gatherings shall be barred.
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VG/SNC/VM
(Release ID :201156)
(Release ID :201156)
