The PlayerUnknown’s battlegrounds or PUBG, also known by the name of plunkbat, has approximately 1.5 million people as it’s concurrent players all over the world, however, days after the famous online multiplayer game announced its first anniversary, it has run into trouble with the Indian law enforcement.
According to a statement released by the Rajkot Police Commissioner, Manoj Agrawal, in light of the ban by the police, says it will continue from the 9th March to the 30th March 2019.
PUBG’s ban stems from accusations against the game being too ‘addictive‘ for children. It is considered harmful for them and following the ban by the Rajkot Police, other Indian districts such as Bhavnagar and some parts of Gir Somnath, have also called for a similar ban and have issued statements about the same.
Actions can be taken against a complaint filed under section 188 of IPC, (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.—Whoever, knowing that, by an order promulgated by a public serv­ant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, he is directed to abstain from a certain act, or to take certain order with certain property in his possession or under his management, disobeys such direction, shall, if such disobedience causes or tends to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk of obstruction, annoyance or injury, to any person lawfully employed, be punished with simple impris­onment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both; and if such disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.) provided certain conditions exist.
The statements that were released were said to highlight the specifics about the game including the violent behaviour among the kids and also, is said to hinder the education process. However, there is no evident study or proof actualizing these claims. However, policemen have been exempted from this ban as they need to be a part of the game to investigate. Along with the policemen, educational and research institutions have also been kept out of the ambit of this ban. The circulars also state that the “the behaviour of the player changes over a period of time.”
Even though PUBG hasn’t released any statements on this issue, however, it has taken feedback from various sources and will look into this issue in all probability. A similar ban has been imposed on the momo challenge, which forces people to complete a series of suicidal challenges.
(Inputs from PTI)
