Uttarakhand To Become Third State Enacting Law Holding Rioters Liable For Damages

The Uttarakhand government will introduce a bill to hold rioters responsible for damage to both government and private property. In the upcoming budget session, they intend to present the Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill, aiming to make rioters financially liable for losses resulting from protests or strikes.

Following the Footsteps of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana

• Uttarakhand is poised to become the third state, after Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, to enact such a law.
• The move aligns with the government’s agenda to maintain law and order and protect public and private assets from unlawful destruction.

Swift Passage Expected

• Government sources have indicated a strong desire for the swift passage of the bill during the upcoming session.
• Under the proposed law, a tribunal, headed by a former judge, will be tasked with determining compensation amounts and issuing recovery notices to offenders.

Chief Minister’s Firm Stand

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has labeled the issue as “extremely serious,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to taking decisive action.
• He emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards violence, asserting that discussions are welcome, but violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Stringent Provisions Anticipated

• Dhami underscored the need for stringent provisions in the legislation, drawing parallels with existing laws aimed at preventing cheating in competitive exams.
• He assured that further details of the proposed law would be provided once the draft is finalized.

Context of Recent Violent Protests

• Violent protests against anti-encroachment measures have been witnessed in various districts of Uttarakhand, including Dehradun and Haridwar, in recent years.
• The widespread violence in Banphoolpura served as a catalyst for the government’s consideration of this legislation, highlighting the urgency of implementing measures to deter such incidents in the future.