Mah Guv approves ordinance; attackers to be fined for violence

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir has approved an ordinance making it mandatory for perpetrators of violence to compensate for the damage caused to public property or even face jail term.

Jamir signed the draft of the ordinance last night and it will come into force from today, an official said today.

The ordinance was mooted by the Home department during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday in view of the violence unleashed by MNS workers in several parts of the state after the arrest of their leader Raj Thackeray.

The ordinance would make political parties and social organisation accountable for damage to public property henceforth.

Asked if the ordinance would be implemented with retrospective effect, the official said it is not clear yet.

The perpetrators may also face a jail term up to five years, the official said.

Clauses 51, 52 and 53 under the Bombay Police Act 1951 will be amended to make the existing law more comprehensive, he said, adding the ordinance empowers the district Collectors to declare the area (of violence) concerned as an insecure zone.

Earlier, this power rested with the state government, but now it would be given to the Collector, he said.

The Collector would evaluate the damage caused to the public property and impose fine, he added.