Police impose Section 144 in Delhi ahead of Farmers March

Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora issued an order prohibiting the gathering of five or more persons, blocking roads, conducting processions and rallies, restricting the entry of tractor trolleys, and imposing a ban on carrying corrosive substances or explosives, as well as the use of loudspeakers across the national capital.

If any person violates the provisions of this order will be considered to have committed an offence under Section 188 of the IPC and shall be liable for criminal prosecution as per law, the Police said.

In an official statement, Arora said, “The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and several other farmers unions and associations have announced a 'Delhi Chalo' march, on February 13 to hold protest outside the Parliament House, to press their demands.”

“To ensure public safety, tranquillity and public order in Delhi and considering the experience of farmer agitation organised in 2020, it has become imperative to take all required precautionary steps to keep a check on the activities of participants of farmers’ march, for which no permission has been granted,” he said.

Blocking roads, passages, or any form of procession, agitation, rally, public meeting or participating in any processions, demonstrations, rallies, or foot marches, regardless of their purpose within the geographical limits of the national capital, is strictly forbidden.

Vehicles such as tractor trolleys, trucks, or any other transporting individuals or materials are not allowed entry into Delhi. Particularly, vehicles carrying implements like sticks, swords, firearms, or any potentially violent tools are prohibited, the Police said.

Moreover, carrying firearms, explosives, corrosive substances, or any lethal weapons in public places within the territory of the national capital is banned with immediate effect.

Authorities are stationed at designated checkpoints to inspect all vehicular movements from the borders of adjoining districts of neighbouring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the police said.

However, this order shall not apply to any processions or meetings organized by the Government, any public servant acting in the discharge of his duty and any congregations or processions relating to any weddings, funerals or other purely religious functions organised with due permission from the concerned authority.

(With UNI inputs)