In the wake of growing superstitious activities by Church and missionaries to convert people, Arunachal Pradesh government has banned conducting Prayer Healing, Healing Crusades, Healing through local priest (Epak), as a remedy to cure various diseases and illnesses in the State’s Upper Siang district.
“This has been brought to the notice of undersigned that various organisations/groups are conducting Prayer Healing, Healing Crusades, Healing through local priest (Epak) etc or (by whatsoever name called) as a remedy to cure various diseases & illness. Such practices are misleading the innocent people from taking course to scientific medical treatment and cause severe health issues. It also gives rise to socio-cultural problems like conversion to other faith and thereby spreads discord among people & groups,” read an official notification dated February 28, 2023.
The Government has also banned such advertisements & healing practices that breaks the provisions of The Drug & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954. Section 5 of the Act prohibits advertisement of magic remedies for treatment of certain diseases and disorders.
“No person carrying on or purporting to carry on the profession of administering magic remedies shall take any part in the publication of any advertisement referring to any magic remedy which directly or indirectly claims to be efficacious for any of the purposes specified in section 3,” the notification reads.
“ I, Shri HageLailang, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Upper Siang District under the provisions of section 133 of CrPC bestowed upon me, hereby issue following directives to be followed scrupulously within Upper Siang District — Ban on conduct of Prayer Healing, Healing Crusades, Healing through local priest (Epak) etc (by whatsoever name/ nomenclature called at public premises and ban on advertisement ( Publication/Display/Circulation) of magical remedies for treatment of diseases and disorders,” the notification reads.
The notification further added that all these directives shall apply on all individual, groups, faith or religion
Also, SP of Upper Siang District has been directed to initiate necessary action to execute the order & to take appropriate action against violators. Also, all Administrative Officers have been directed to ensure its execution and mass circulation of the order within their respective jurisdiction.
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