The Moradabad District Administration has sent a notice of fine of Rs 1 crore 4 lakh and 8 thousand to the poet and Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi for being involved in demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and violating Section 144. In the notice sent, the administration has accounted for a daily expenditure of Rs 13 lakh 42 thousand in the protest against the CAA which has been continuing at Moradabad Idgah since January 29.
As per the reports, the demonstration in Moradabad is regarded as a threat to the social harmony of the town, prompting the district administration to spend a fortune on maintaining law and order and preventing any untoward incident. Slapping the notice against Congress leader, the administration has accused Pratapgarhi of inciting people to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
In a recent gathering at Idgah, Pratapgarhi said, ”In the last few days, we have seen pictures and videos which brings to our mind the question of where our country is heading towards. Our daughters and sisters are persistently being tortured by the police. I will continue to participate in all such movements even further. This government cannot suppress our voice. The administration sent me a notice. I will see how to respond back. I will approach the High Court and if needed to the Supreme Court as well.”
It is pertinent to note that the Uttar Pradesh government had come down hard against the anti-CAA rioters who indulged in arson, vandalism and committed violence on the pretext of opposing the Citizenship Law. More than 150 notices were issued by Lucknow administration after Yogi Adityanath declared that those who indulge in violence will be made to pay for it or their properties will be seized for compensating the loss to the public exchequer. The Uttar Pradesh government had identified at least 498 properties to seize, which belonged to rioters who vandalised public properties in the state during the anti-CAA protest. Notices have been already sent to these protesters regarding the same.
