Imposition of collective fines in dangerously disturbed areas

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare the whole or any part of the State to be a dangerously disturbed area. (2) The Central Government or the District Magistrate if satisfied that the inhabitants of any dangerously disturbed area— (a) are concerned in the commission of offences or other acts which are prejudicial to the security of the State or the maintenance of law and order, (b) have been harbouring persons concerned in the commission of such offences or acts, may impose a collective fine on the inhabitants of that area. (3) An order made by the District Magistrate under sub-section (2) shall be reported forthwith by him through the Commissioner of the Division to the Central Government. The Central Government may thereupon vary or rescind such order. (4) The authority imposing the fine under sub-section (2) may exempt any person or class or group of inhabitants from liability to pay any portion of such fine. (5) The District Magistrate, after such enquiry as he may deem necessary, shall apportion the fine imposed on the inhabitants who are liable to pay it according to his judgment of the respective means of such inhabitants and such apportionment shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue.