(1) If, in the opinion’ of the State Government it is necessary or expecient so to do for preventing or suppressing subversive acts or for maintaining supplics and services essenual to the life of the community, it may by general or special order prohibit or restrict the mevement of any commodity, article or thing (including any vessel, vehicle, aircraft or animal) either generally or between any particular places or on any particular route,
(2) The powers conferred by sub-section (I) shall not apply to the inter-State movement of any commodity which is an essential commodity as defined in clause (a) of section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and shall not prejudically affect any order issued in that behalf by the Central Government in respect of any such commodity.
(3) Every order made under sub-section (1) shall remain in force for such period not exceeding three months at any one time as may be specified in the order.
(4) If any person contravenes any order made under sub-section (1), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both and the court trying the offence shall order that the commodity, | article or thing (including any vessel, vehicle, aircraft or animal) | in respect of which the offence has been committed shall be forfeited to the State.