By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 10 Apr: A major administrative decision regarding protests and demonstrations has now been taken in the tourist city of Mussoorie. Keeping in mind the city’s traffic management, security concerns, and the sensitive nature of its tourism sector, the administration has designated an alternative, authorised venue for holding protests.
According to an order issued by SDM Rahul Anand, ‘Hawa Ghar’ (located on Camel’s Back Road) has now been officially declared as the designated venue for protests and demonstrations. This order has come into effect immediately.
A committee was constituted to select a suitable venue for protests. This committee included the Executive Officer of the Mussoorie Municipal Council, the Naib Tehsildar of Mussoorie, and the Inspector-in-Charge of the Mussoorie Kotwali. The committee conducted a joint inspection to assess various potential sites and unanimously identified ‘Hawa Ghar’ as the most suitable option. The committee’s report highlighted several key reasons for this choice: the venue offers ample open space; holding protests there will not disrupt traffic flow; and its geographical layout is conducive to accommodating protesters as well as for the deployment of security forces. Furthermore, it is considered a strategically secure location for managing and controlling any large-scale public gatherings. Mussoorie is a prominent tourist destination that witnesses a steady influx of visitors throughout the year. Consequently, holding protests in the city’s main markets or congested areas has historically led to issues such as traffic jams, inconvenience to tourists, and security-related challenges. The administration believes that this decision will serve to safeguard democratic rights while simultaneously ensuring the maintenance of public order within the city.
The SDM clarified that, henceforth, any form of protest or demonstration must strictly be held at the designated venue—’Hawa Ghar.’ Any demonstrations held at locations other than the designated venue will result in punitive action being taken against the organisers.
