Tshering Namgyal | Mongar

Mongar dzongkhag court conducted a miscellaneous hearing yesterday for 16 men from Ngatsang gewog, who allegedly played archery during the second nationwide lockdown.

The court registered the case after police charged the men for violating public order and tranquillity. The dzongkhag Covid-19 taskforce forwarded the case to Mongar police.

The men were charged for breaching section 448 of the Penal Code of Bhutan, which states that a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of breach of public order and tranquillity, if the defendant purposely fails to abide by the orders of the government issued in the interest of public safety, public order and tranquillity.

Of the 16 men, six played archery in Pelshuphu chiwog, six in Roptangkhar village, and four in Shingtha Aring village of Ngatshang chiwog on Nyilo on January 2.

The next hearing of the case will be conducted on February 8.

Meanwhile, police would also charge eight women from Thrindangbi village in Saling gewog for allegedly playing khuru on the same day.