The Delhi Police on Monday imposed a ban on protests and gatherings of five or more people in central and border areas of the city for six days, citing concerns over law and order.
As per an order from the Delhi Police Headquarters, Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora directed the enforcement of section 163 (formerly section 144 of the CrPC) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in New Delhi, North, and Central districts, as well as all police stations sharing borders with other states.
The prohibitory order will be in place until October 5, the order reads.
“There will be significant movement of VVIPs and dignitaries in the New Delhi and Central District areas on October 2, for Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary,” it said.
The order also highlighted that ongoing Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana legislative assembly elections require constant checks on the movement of individuals and vehicles at Delhi’s borders.
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It further stated that due to these elections, areas inhabited by migrants from these states could become vulnerable to infiltration and instigation by anti-social elements looking to disrupt public order in the capital.
Following the order, about 120 people from Ladakh, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who marched to the capital demanding Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory, were detained by Delhi Police at the city’s border, police sources said.
In the districts of New Delhi, North, and Central, and in police station jurisdictions along Delhi’s state borders, for six days (from September 30 to October 5), the assembly of five or more unauthorised persons, carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, spears, swords, sticks, brickbats, or engaging in dharnas in public spaces is prohibited, and violators will be punished under Section 223 (previously section 188 of the IPC) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the order added.
Meanwhile, Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj commented on X, calling it an “undeclared emergency,” and criticised the order, stating, “None of the reasons appear genuine”.
He further claimed that the Centre fears Delhi residents will speak out against the rise of gangsters and extortion-related shootings in the city.
(With inputs from PTI)
