In a move aimed at tightening law and order in the city, Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur has issued a series of strict directives under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The orders apply across the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate area and introduce new restrictions on restaurants, nightlife, weapons, modified vehicles, and public parking facilities.
According to the official order issued under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, all restaurants, clubs and licensed eateries in the city will now have to strictly follow revised closing timings. The directive clearly states that all such establishments must shut operations by 12 midnight. In addition, restaurants have been instructed not to accept any food or drink orders after 11:30 PM, and no new customers will be allowed to enter the premises after that time.
The order also applies to liquor vends and their drinking areas, commonly known as ‘ahatas’, which must close by midnight or strictly follow the closing timings mentioned in their respective licences.
Noise control has also been made a priority under the new guidelines.
The authorities have ordered DJ systems, live orchestras, singers, and other loud noise-makers to stop their functions by 10 PM at the latest. After this time, the noise level has to be maintained within limits and should not exceed it, and it should not spread outside the premises either.
Another significant aspect of the order is the total ban on carrying and showing weapons in public places. This ban is applicable to places like religious destinations, weddings, parties, marriage palaces, hotels, halls, etc. The police officials have said that this ban has been put in place to avoid intimidation and for safety purposes.
The commissioner has shown a very strict attitude towards the glamorization of weapons through social media too. In this regard, the order has prohibited the posting of pictures with weapons, as well as promoting violence through songs, on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.
In addition to this, the police have banned Bullet motorcycles with modified silencers, which make loud noise similar to firecrackers when they start moving. The workshops and mechanics have been ordered not to sell such modified silencers, and strict action will be taken against those who violate this order too.
Security arrangements have also been tightened at parking facilities in the city. According to the new rules, parking facilities at railway stations, bus stands, hospitals, places of worship, markets, etc., cannot function without CCTV cameras. The parking operators are required to ensure that the cameras are able to capture the number plates of the vehicles as well as the faces of the drivers.