Parmesh S Jain
The police have started seizing mics from religious places for defying the High Court (HC) order on noise pollution.
As part of the awareness drive, several mics have been seized from religious places for defying the court order and the police have booked cases under appropriate sections.
The drive will continue to monitor the prescribed decibel levels,and action will be taken against violators,Kamal Pant,City Police Commissioner, said .
In the wake of the campaign against Azaan by hindu activist, Mr. Pant, has instructed jurisdictional police to take legal action against violators and ensure law and order .
According to police sources,notices have also been issued to all the parties concerned from the pollution control board.
However,when contacted,Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials refused to acknowledge the notices or comment on the issue.
According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules,2000,restrictions on the use of loud speakers/public address system include not using one “except after obtaining written permission from the authority,and not using a loud speaker/public address system at night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
except in closed premises for communication within – auditoriam,conference rooms,community halls and banquet halls.
The State Government may subject to such terms and conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution,permit use of loud speakers or public address systems during night hours (between 10 p.m.to midnight on or during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days in all during a calendar year,the rules add.
It may be recalled that six months ago, the south division police had launched a special drive and seized mics, booked cases and issued notices to mosques, temples and other places of worship for using loud speakers in the early hours, causing disturbance .
Security heightened
Meanwhile, security has been heightened in and around religious places, including mosques and temples in and around the city, in the wake of pro-Hindu activists launching a campaign against azaan -the call for prayers.
Police personnel have been deployed at all the religious places to ensure that the HC order on noise pollution should not be violated .
The HC order, given six months ago to all places of worship, puns and industries to keep a check on the sound level and warned to take action.
The police, at their jurisdictional level, organised peace meetings with religious leaders of both communities to inform them about the HC order.
However, Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik has warned the government to remove mics from all the mosques, failing which, he claimed that the protest would be intensified .
The members of pro-Hindu outfits are planning to sing bhajans in temples in the early hours to counter the morning azaan.
