INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:

The bill envisages a district security committee to maintain law and order Kathmandu, September 21 The Peace and Security Bill registered by

the government in the House of Representatives stipulates a provision of imposing restriction on fairs, festivals and mass meetings. Section

13 of the bill says that the chief district officer concerned may prohibit celebration of any fair or festival if the programme is likely to

affect peace and security

&The power to maintain law and order in any festival or fair shall lie with the CDO

If the CDO believes that a fair or festival will threaten the law and order situation, s/he may issue an order against organising such

programme,& reads the bill. The CDO may impose a fine of up to Rs 25,000 on an organiser of such programmes besides mobilising security

forces to stop it if s/he continues with the fair or festival in contravention of the order of the local administration

The bill also prohibits use of loud speaker, sound system and other electronic equipment in a manner that generates noise pollution contrary

to the standard prescribed under the existing law. &If anyone causes noise pollution in contravention of the prescribed standard, the CDO

concerned may give an order to confiscate the sound amplifier and other equipment in addition to a fine of up to Rs 10,000,& reads the

bill. Noise pollution is emerging as a serious environmental problem in urban areas

The noise pollution has also caused medical problems

People staying in noisy areas, especially above 70 decibel (dBA) must take precautionary measures in orderto avoid noise induced hearing

loss, according to Nepal Health Research Council

The World Health Organisation has set limit of 70 dBA in ‘High Traffic Area& and 64 dBA in ‘Commercial-Cum-Residence Area&

However, Nepal is yet to prescribe permissible noise pollution limit in such areas. The bill also stipulates a provision of taking a

mentally unstable person under control for maintaining law and security and sending him/her to a health facility or a rehabilitation centre

for treatment. According to the bill, the CDO shall make arrangements for peace and security in coordination with the provincial government

Likewise, the security of all government offices except court and defence-related offices shall be overseen by the CDO. The bill envisages a

seven-member district security committee led by the CDO to maintain law and order

The committee includes representatives from Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department and Provincial

Police, and assistant CDO as members. The functions and duties of the committee are to analyse overall security situation of the concerned

district, collect intelligence, maintain peace and security, mobilise and coordinate security forces, and plan and implement security

strategies, among others. The post New bill empowers CDOs to impose restrictions appeared first on The Himalayan Times.