DIMAPUR, APRIL 6 (MExN): The apparent confusion over two prohibitory orders issued from both the offices of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur have been clarified. The District Public Relation Officer Office (DPRO) Dimapur in a clarification on the issue said that two prohibitory orders are being issued because of the functioning of the Commissionerate system as well as well as district administration in Dimapur.
Accordingly, the powers to promulgate prohibition under Section 144 CrPC (restriction of public movement and vehicular movement which are not permitted under essential category) rest with CP. On the other hand, under the Disaster Act, orders pertaining to opening/closure of shops dealing with essential commodities rest with the DC.
As the present crisis is a health disaster issue, and not a law and order situation, the DC has been issuing orders regarding such matters, the DPRO noted in a clarification.
Had it been a law and order issue, only the CP would be empowered for imposition of the prohibitory orders, it said. In other districts, only one order is being issued by the Deputy Commissioner as in the absence of a Commissionerate, the legislative power of Section 144 CrPc also rests with the DC, it added.
“Perhaps this may be the reason for confusion amongst the public,” the DPRO alluded in the clarification. The DPRO Dimapur further confirmed from both the DC and CP Dimapur on this issue so that public may not view it as miscommunication between the two offices and also urged the people not be confused as orders are issued according to law.
