Imposing law to tackle swine flu will only create panic: Tariq Anwar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Tariq Anwar on Wednesday condemned the imposing of Section 144 in Ahmedabad to prevent swine flu, saying it would only create more panic amongst the people.

He said the government should instead focus on providing better medical facilities.

"Swine flu cannot be cured or curbed with a law. This will only create panic. Every disease has a treatment. Therefore, proper medicines and facilities should be provided instead," said Anwar.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code prohibits mass gatherings without prior permission.

According to reports, if the public events cannot be called off or postponed, organisers will have to take prior permission to ensure that proper care is taken to stop the spread of the virus.

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had yesterday made a statement in both Houses of Parliament regarding the swine flu situation in the country.

Swine flu is caused by H1N1 virus. Symptoms for swine flu include high fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and internal and external bleeding.