Banned outfits, NGOs barred from collecting Eid hides in Mansehra

MANSEHRA: The district administration in Mansehra has barred banned organisations and non-governmental organisations from collecting sacrificial hides across the district during Eidul Azha, acting on directions issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home and Tribal Affairs Department.

According to an official order issued on Tuesday by Deputy Commissioner Mian Behzad Adil, the administration has also prohibited the use of loudspeakers for hide collection and banned the setting up of collection points anywhere in the district.

In the order, the deputy commissioner said the action had been taken in line with a government directive. The document stated that the provincial home and tribal affairs department had, through a letter issued recently, instructed local authorities regarding the collection of hides and skin donations during Eidul Azha by charity groups and organisations already banned in the country.

Attributing the decision to the official order, the administration said the restrictions had been imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

“In pursuance of the government order, I impose a complete ban on the use of loudspeakers for the collection of sacrificial hides and on establishing collection points anywhere in the district,” the deputy commissioner said in the order.

The order further stated that no one would be allowed to force or harass people for the collection of hides and skins on behalf of charity organisations or banned outfits anywhere in Mansehra district.

In another restriction announced for the Eid holidays, the administration said carrying arms would not be allowed within the jurisdiction of Mansehra district.

The official order said the restrictions had taken immediate effect and would remain in force for the next 20 days throughout the district.

The administration also warned that anyone found violating the order would be liable to punishment under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, according to the same document.

Order issued under Section 144

The text of the order said the deputy commissioner had exercised powers under Section 144 of the CrPC to prohibit the use of loudspeakers for hide collection and to stop coercion or harassment linked to the collection of hides and skins.

“I, Mian Behzad Adil, Deputy Commissioner Mansehra, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 144 of the CrPC, hereby prohibit the use of loudspeakers for the collection of hides and ban forcing or harassing people for the collection of hides and skins by charity organisations or banned outfits anywhere in the district,” the deputy commissioner stated in the order.

The move comes as the district administration implements the provincial government’s instructions for Eidul Azha, with the order covering banned outfits as well as NGOs across Mansehra.