'Cost Of A Photo': Dang In Gujarat Bans Selfies After Seeing Multiple Deaths & Injuries

A public notice stated that a person caught violating the order will be booked under Indian Penal Code section 188.

Representational Image (PTI)

Dang: After the district reported many several deaths and injuries in the past, the Dang has decided to ban selfies in the district turning it into a crime that can invite police action. 

The administration also prohibits locals from going into the river or other water bodies to wash clothes, bathing or for any other reason during the monsoon season in a move to prevent accidents that have happened before. 

According to a TOI report, the district magistrate TK Damor issuing a public notification dated June 23rd prohibiting selfies. It warns that a person caught violating the order will be booked under Indian Penal Code section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).

“With the start of the monsoon, there has been a huge influx of tourists in Dang. While enjoying nature, many act irresponsibly by taking selfies which lead to accidents that could prove fatal. The notification has been issued to prevent such incidents,” Damor told TOI.

There have been many incidents reported in the past, of people dying or suffering injuries while trying to take selfies. Some of these tourist spots have been so risky that an NGO which hired lifeguards in these areas was roped in. 

Ankit Charitable Trust of Navsari started by Dr Ashok Shroff, an eye surgeon, in 2008 entered into an MoU with the local administration to appoint lifeguards at Gira waterfall to prevent accidents. He started the NGO after his 21-year-old nephew Ankit died in the waterfall.

“Issuing the notification is a good move that will empower law enforcement agencies to take action against those found behaving irresponsibly,” Dr Shroff told TOI.