Guj: Disturbed Areas Act imposed in new pockets of Ahmedabad

The Gujarat government on Monday imposed Disturbed Areas Act on pockets of Viramgam town in Ahmedabad district, and extended it in parts of Vadodara for another five years.

The Act bans sale of property by a member of one religious community to a member of another religious community without the prior approval of the district collector.

In a release, the state government said the Disturbed Areas Act, in force in communally sensitive areas under the limits of Varashiya, Karelibaug, Bopad and Raopura police stations in Vadodara, has been extended for another five years from October 1.

It added that 21 new areas have been included under the Act in Viramgam town of Ahmedabad district for a period of five years.

The Act is already in force in several communally sensitive areas of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Bharuch and other towns in Gujarat.

The Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provision for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from Premises in Disturbed Areas Act, 1991 was amended in the Assembly in the monsoon session to stop people from acquiring properties in disturbed areas through illegal means.

As per the amended Act, violators will have to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh or two per cent of value of property, whichever is higher, and face imprisonment of three to five years.