Kishanganj, Dec. 3: A group of self-proclaimed “social reformers” at a village in the district has banned women from using cellphones and threatened to impose a fine of Rs 10,000 on anybody violating the order.

The committee, comprising 10 residents of Tupamari village in Kishanganj, around 400km northeast of Patna, issued the order at a public meeting held yesterday. The members of the panel, called Committee for Social Advice, said they felt the use of mobiles was “degrading values” among girls, particularly school and college students.

They added that a fine of Rs 10,000 would be imposed on any woman found using a cellphone or carrying the gadget. To make matter worse for the women, the panel threatened to slap a fine of Rs 2,000 on anybody found talking to any person outside home.

The secretary of the committee, Javed Iqbal, today said: “Misuse of cellphones, corrupts one’s mind. Keeping this in mind, we decided to prohibit the women in our village from using cellphones.”

The meeting was attended by representatives of 100 families of Tupamari. The village has around 400 households.

Kishanganj district magistrate Sandeep Kumar R. Pudalkalkatti said: “I have asked sub-divisional officer Kawal Tanuj to probe into the matter.”