Dibrugarh: Dhemaji district magistrate Rahul Suresh Javir on Friday issued an order mandating helmet use for all two-wheeler riders entering govt and private offices, schools, colleges, and educational institutions across the district, in a measure to curb road accidents and enforce traffic safety norms.The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, comes into force with immediate effect and prohibits employees, students, and staff members from entering institutional premises without wearing protective helmets while riding two-wheelers.
“It has been observed that non-use of protective helmets by two-wheeler riders continues to be a major cause of serious injuries and fatalities in road accidents within the jurisdiction of Dhemaji district,” the district magistrate stated in the order.According to the directive, all heads of departments, heads of offices, principals, headmasters, and institutional heads must ensure strict compliance. Any employee, student, or staff member arriving on a two-wheeler without a helmet will be denied entry and will not be permitted to mark attendance for the day.“Any employee, student, or staff member who reports to duty or attends classes on a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet shall not be permitted to mark attendance for the day, and such attendance shall be treated as absent, subject to applicable service rules, academic regulations, and institutional norms,” the order reads.The directive emphasised that the measure is necessary “in the interest of public safety and discipline” and aligns with Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which mandates wearing of protective headgear by both riders and pillion riders of two-wheelers.All institutional heads have been instructed to prominently display the order in English and Assamese at conspicuous locations within their premises. They must also ensure that no two-wheeler rider or pillion rider without a helmet is allowed entry or parking within office premises under their administrative control.“The responsibility for strict enforcement and compliance of this order shall rest with the respective Heads of Offices and Heads of Institutions,” the order stated, making it clear that institutional heads will be held accountable for implementation.The order warns that violations will invite action under Section 195 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other relevant legal provisions.
