 "Section 144 imposed in Betul, following severe water crisis")
Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (unlawful assembling of people) has been imposed in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district in wake of the deteriorating law and order situation due to water crisis in the region.
Betul's District Magistrate Gyaneshwar Patil ordered the imposition of Section 144, which prohibits unlawful assembly of five or more persons at a place.
All construction works, whether government or private, has been restricted at the moment in this region.
An order was issued earlier to probe usage of water for personal and government related works.
Madhya Pradesh is facing a drought like situation for the second consecutive year with water scarcity being reported in over 40 districts across the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier on May 10 chaired a high-level meeting with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on drought and water scarcity in the state.
The duo discussed strategies to increase awareness about water conservation and storage besides steps for tree plantation and protection in the catchment area of the Narmada river.