JAMMU: To stop terrorists and subversive persons from misusing flying objects, the district administration of Doda, J&K, banned the use, storage and transportation of drones in the district for two months from February 10, officials said Tuesday.
As per an order issued by the office of Doda additional district magistrate Sudershan Kumar Monday, defence forces, police and other security agencies were exempted from the purview of the ban but directed to inform the SHO concerned before using these gadgets.
Govt departments using these gadgets for activities — such as mapping, surveys, surveillance in construction works, agriculture, filming, environmental conservation and disaster mitigation sectors — were instructed to inform local police and executive magistrate and seek prior authorisation before usage.
Those already in possession of drone cameras, flying objects or similar gadgets were instructed to deposit the same at their nearest police station within a week of the issuance of the order.
It had become imperative to impose these restrictions in view of recent misuse of drones and other flying objects by anti-nationals to cause damage, injury and risk to human lives besides posing a threat to the security of vital installations in J&K, the order said.