Guwahati declares ‘silent zone’ around all religious places

According to a notification issued by DM M Angamuthu, the district magistrate of Kamrup district, which includes Guwahati has declared a radius of 100 metres from “all prominent religious places” under his jurisdiction — including temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches — as a “silent zone”. The State pollution Control Board has been asked to submit a monthly report on noise pollution in these zones. The notification states that it was issued in compliance of the direction received from the Government of Assam. However, it does not directly refer to the use of microphones and loudspeakers in places of worship.