Indian authorities have imposed section 144 in Indian Held Kashmir, banning the assembly of five or more persons. According to Kashmir Media Service, the move of imposing frequent prohibitory orders under the provision drew flak from different quarters.
Senior counsel, Zaffar Ahmed Shah said "This provision has been abused for the last 20 years as all processions and assemblies of the people have been banned under it. The district magistrate can pass an order valid for two months only. But the orders have been extended from time to time and have remained in operation almost for the last two decades without any break," he said.
President of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, Parvez Imroz said that the imposition impinged right to peaceful assembly. "This is being used to curb civil rights of people and has been legacy of successive regimes in the territory even before 1989," he said. He pointed out that this provision only prevents holding of assembly at public places, but even the functions at private places are barred here.
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