Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 23: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by SAVE (Save Animal Value Environment) through its Chairperson Devinder Kaur Madaan seeking ban on sale and purchase/use of plastic/synthetic/chinese sharp kite strings in J&K, Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice N.Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat today directed the Advocate General D C Raina with Deputy Advocate General P S Chandel to take instructions from the State Government with regard to the relief claimed in the PIL.
After hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Irfaan Mohammad Khan and Rahul Raina appearing for the petitioner NGO and Advocate General D C Raina with Deputy Advocate General P S Chandel appearing for the State, Division Bench issued notices to the Commissioner/Secretary Forest Department, State Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary, IGP Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu and Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu.
Looking into the importance of the issue involved in the PIL, the Division Bench directed the Advocate General D C Raina with Deputy AG P S Chandel to take instructions from the State Government with regard to the relief claimed in the PIL. The Registry was directed to list the matter on March 1.
When the PIL came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Irfaan Mohammad Khan and Rahul Raina appearing for the petitioner NGO submitted that the instant PIL raises a vital public issue aiming to seek ban on the sale and purchase of Chinese sharp kite strings called ‘Manja’ in State of J&K as the synthetic thread has already caused extensive loss to the humans/animals/birds.
He further submitted that several states like Maharastra, Gujarat and Punjab have already imposed complete ban on the sale/purchase of Manja thread but there is no such ban in State of J&K.
He further submitted that in August 2015 the District Magistrate Jammu in exercise of his powers under Section 144 CrPC had issued order No.56-DMJ of 2015 banning the synthetic hazardous thread for 60 days in Jammu City.
He, however, said that District Magistrate Jammu is not the competent authority to impose complete ban throughout the year in State of J&K as such directions are required from the High Court.
Advocate General submitted that the Manja thread is very dangerous and sought some time from the Division Bench to have instructions from the State functionaries so that some effective orders may be passed on the next date of hearing.
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