ST status to Pahari community: Mobile internet service suspended in Poonch-Rajouri in J-K
Jammu, Feb 7: Amid resentment among a section of Gujjar-Bakerwal community over grant of ST status to Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities on Wednesday imposed prohibitory orders in Jammu while security was beefed up in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
The mobile internet service and public Wi-Fi facilities were also temporarily suspended in Rajouri and Poonch as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, officials said.
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to add four communities -- Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Group -- to the list of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir.
In an order issued here this evening, Jammu district magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya ordered immediate imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure that prohibits gathering of four or more people.
"Whereas, it has been made to appear to me by the inputs received from police authorities and also otherwise, that there is a likelihood of serious breach of peace and order and disturbance of public tranquillity which might cause grave danger to human lives and properties because of the disinformation that is being spread on social media platforms by posting/ sharing of derogatory, discriminatory and provocative messages.
"Whereas, it is desirable that any breach of peace and order and disturbance of public tranquillity which might cause grave danger to human lives and properties should be immediately prevented," the order read.
Exercising his powers, Vaishya prohibits individuals and social media platforms and portals operating in the district from posting or sharing any such post or message that has the potential to disturb the communal harmony, cause breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
"The order shall come into force with immediate effect and any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code," the order said.
While the Pahari community welcomed the Central government's decision to grant the community Scheduled Tribe status, a section of the Gujjars and Bakerwals have expressed their resentment against the move, claiming that the Paharis are not scheduled tribes.
Security has been beefed up in both Rajouri and Poonch districts having major concentration of Gujjars and Bakerwals besides Paharis to maintain law and order, the officials said.
In an order, the Home Department announced temporary suspension of telecom services in the two districts.
"Whereas, the ADGP (additional director general of Police), Jammu Zone, being the authorized officer under the temporary suspension of telecom services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, has issued directions to the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)/Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to suspend mobile data (2G/3G/4G/5G & Public Wi-Fi facilities 5G) in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu Province w.e.f 07.02.2024 (0010 hours) to 07.02.2024 (2330 hours)," the order said.
The order highlighted the possibility of mobile data (2G/3G/4G/5G & Public Wi-Fi facility 5G) services to be misused by anti-national elements or miscreants, which may cause deterioration in public order.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
