Pulwama: Being without face mask & spitting at public places to invite fine

PULWAMA — As a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection, district authorities in Pulwama while invoking Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act have made it mandatory to wear face masks / face covers in public. Moreover, resorting to spitting at public places has also been made a liable offence.

In this connection, District Magistrate Pulwama, Dr. Raghav Langer who is also the Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority today issued an order in which people have been cautioned to wear masks / face covers in public places or work places along with avoidance of spitting at public places.

The order has been issued in public interest and anyone found avoiding wearing of face mask or spitting at public places shall be penalised monetarily by an amount of rupees 500.

The government, health institutions and medical experts have been continuously issuing circulars and guidelines in which people are advised to wear masks, maintenance of social distancing, hand washing, use of sanitisers and avoidance of spitting at public places to contain the spread of coronavirus infection.

Moreover, the seven Red Zone villages of Pulwama which include Khaigam, Sangerwani, Abhama of Tehsil Rajpora and Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena and Parigam of Tehsil Pulwama are continuously under strict restrictions and people have been advised to abide by the orders and any violation shall invoke Section 269 IPC (unlawfully or negligently doing something which is likely to spread infection of any dangerous disease to life), Section 270 IPC (malignant act likely to spread infection of dangerous disease to life), Section 271 IPC (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) and Section 188 IPC (for disobeying government orders).