Assam: 1 Arrested for Violating 'Lockdown Rules', becomes 1st Such Case in State

Dibrugarh, March 26, 2020:

Assam Police have arrested an individual in Dibrugarh for violating the rules of lockdown imposed amid coronavirus outbreak, thereby making it the first case of Police action.

Dibrugarh Police have arrested the individual from the Upper Assam town's Rajgarh area. The authorities have also seized a motorcycle, bearing registration number AS 06 D 3271,  used for plying on the road during the lockdown.

While speaking with Inside Northeast, Rajgarh Police Outpost In-charge, Rudra Bora said, "He was roaming around in the area without any valid reason. He was looking for someone to accompany him probably. The locals informed us  about this person and said he was abusing them. We have conducted a test to check if he was under the influence of alcohol. As of now, we have forwarded his case to the court. If found guilty, he will be slapped with six months imprisonment."

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Bora added that the village headman has also filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the person for misbehavior. The locals complained about one person was doing stunts on the road at a time when the Government, both Centre and State, has imposed a lockdown for 21 days.

The Police have registered a case against him under 188/271/353/294 RW Section 51 under Disaster Management Act.

It may be mentioned here that Assam State Government had imposed a 5-day lockdown initially due to the coronavirus. However, the central Government imposed a 21-day strict lockdown in a bid to contain the spread of the virus in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged the public to refrain from roaming outside as they would be at risk of getting infected and thereby aiding in a faster spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Government had decided to shun all operations barring essential activities. Additionally, the authorities had informed that disregarding the stringent laws could land one in prison for 6 months (during initial arrest) and 2 years (for a second violation).

Section 270 in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will come into effect in this case. It states, “Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease danger­ous to life —Whoever malignantly does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”

During the lockdown, grocery, pharmacies and petrol pumps will be functional. Except these, all shops and services, educational institutions be it private or public will remain closed. Emergency services like medical, financial, fire brigade, electricity will also remain open for the public.

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