Odisha: Section 144 Clamped In Berhampur For Ghata Procession Of Maa Budhi Thakurani

Ganjam: In order to restrict large scale congregation in one place for preventing further spread of Covid-19 infection, the Ganjam district administration on Friday clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC during the ‘Ghata’ procession of Maa Budhi Thakurani in the city.

According to the order, Section 144 will be in force in the streets at Desibehera Sahi, Nadiagurji-Badabazar Chhaka, Khaspa Sahi, Peddawari Sahi and Kharuda Sahi from 6 pm today to 6 am tomorrow with the following guidelines.

1. Not more than 25 priests/authorised persons appointed by the organisers shall be allowed to remain present during the procession of Maa Budhi Thakurani on April 9 and 10.
2. All priests/authorised persons appointed by the organisers shall wear masks at all times and shall also sanitise their hands at regular intervals.
3. No person other than those mentioned above (as per list) shall remain present during the procession of the deity.
4. Usage of public address system shall be prohibited.
5. The procession shall be organised only in order to observe the traditional rituals of the deity by the persons as permitted above without any public gathering.
6. There shall be no musical or any other entertainment programmes during the above procession.
7. There shall be no ‘Sahi Parikrama’ and the deity shall move directly from Maa Budhi Thakurani temple to temporary pendal at Desibehera Sahi without any halt, with proper cordoning by the police.

“Any person found violating the above order shall be liable to be prosecuted under section 188 of IPC, under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act , 2005 and also under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897,” the order issued by the district administration read.