Jammu, Feb 11: Authorities have enacted a two-month ban on the storage, use, and transport of drones in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative is designed to curb the potential misuse of drones by anti-national elements, officials announced on Tuesday.
However, the police and security forces are exempt from this ban. Government departments that utilize drones for various purposes—including mapping, surveys, and surveillance in construction and agriculture—are required to obtain proper permissions for their usage.
Sudershan Kumar, Additional District Magistrate of Doda, stated that individuals currently in possession of drone cameras or similar devices must surrender them to the nearest police station within a week of the order’s issuance, in exchange for a receipt.
“Recent incidents in various regions of Jammu and Kashmir have highlighted the misuse of drones and similar devices by anti-national elements, resulting in harm, risks to human safety, and threats to the security of critical infrastructure,” the order indicates.
The directive emphasizes the necessity to impose reasonable restrictions on the storage, sale, possession, use, and transport of drones and similar devices to protect the aerial space near critical sites and densely populated areas.
While the two-month restriction applies to general drone use, Kumar noted that government departments engaged in activities like mapping, surveys, construction monitoring, environmental conservation, and disaster management must inform the local police station and the relevant executive magistrate in writing about their drone possession. These departments must also seek permission from this office prior to any drone operations.
“Police and defense forces using drones are exempt from this order, but they are required to notify the respective Station House Officer (SHO) before any usage,” the order states, directing the senior superintendent of police in Doda to ensure compliance with these regulations. (Agencies)
