Jammu, Sept. 28 -- Authorities in Kishtwar on Monday ordered a complete prohibition on the sale, possession and consumption of liquor within a radius of 500 metres of the Shree Sarthal Devi Mata Shrine in Sarthal area of the district.
Kishtwar District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Sharma issued the ban order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, citing the religious, cultural and spiritual significance of the shrine and the need to preserve its sanctity and maintain peace and public order in the area, an official said.
Quoting the order, the official said the prohibition applies to all types of liquor and is binding on wine shop owners, vendors, dhaba owners, hotel and restaurant operators, licence holders a...