PNS | DEHRADUN
Authorities imposed section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at Gauchar in Chamoli district after a clash broke out between two men from different communities on Tuesday. The altercation, which initially started as a verbal dispute, escalated into a physical confrontation, drawing in more individuals and prompting the intervention of the local police to restore peace, the officials said.
They informed that as the news of the incident spread, unrest gripped the local market, with angry crowds resorting to vandalism. Several shops were reportedly damaged and in a climate of fear, shopkeepers began shutting down their shops.
They claimed that the situation intensified as protests broke out with traders organising rallies. The unrest in Gauchar followed a series of recent communal disturbances in Karnprayag and Tharali, escalating concerns of a wider conflict in the region, as per the officials. Considering this, the authorities imposed Section 163 of the BNSS to prevent any further escalation and ensure public safety. The imposition of this section prohibits the assembly of five or more people.
This measure was taken to avoid any unlawful gatherings and curb the risk of communal riots, with police presence bolstered to maintain law and order in the area, the officials said.
