Chandigarh, 9th July 2014: The Punjab Government today brought back the dreaded Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Bill with minor amendments. This Bill, that was proposed by the Punjab Government in 2010, had to be withdrawn after protests by civil rights activists.
The Punjab Cabinet decided to include “blockade of rail or road traffic” in Part 2 (C) of the Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Bill-2014. The Bill provides for punishment of up to a year and a fine of Rs 100,000 on those who damage public or private property during an agitation, strike, bandh or blockade. If the damage is caused by explosives, the punishment will be up to two years and the guilty will be fined Rs 100,000.
The government feels there have been several demonstrations and agitations in the recent past when public and private property has been damaged to public and private property.
But civil rights activists have condemned the move to bring in a “draconian law.” They say by denying the people the right to protest against the government or its policies, it will turn Punjab into a police state.
This Act was conceived in the wake of violent protests in Punjab after the killing of a religious leader in Vienna. Punjab saw heavy damage to public property during the violence.