The Delhi Police prohibited demonstrations and assembling of five or more individuals in the central and nearby areas of the city until October 5 for six days due to law and order concerns.
The directive from Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora is to enforce section 163 (formerly section 144 of CrPC) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in New Delhi, North and Central districts, as well as in all police station areas bordering other states, as per an order from Delhi Police Headquarters.
According to the decree, the ban will continue until October 5. “On October 2, during Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, there will be a significant presence of VVIPs and dignitaries in New Delhi and the Central District,” stated the announcement.
The order also mentioned the ongoing legislative assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, highlighting the importance of monitoring the movement of people and vehicles at Delhi borders.
The directive mentioned that during the aforementioned elections, areas with migrant populations from other states could be at risk of being targeted by individuals with malicious intentions causing disruptions in the national capital.
Approximately 120 individuals from Ladakh, including activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had protested in Delhi for sixth schedule status, have been held by the Delhi Police at the border.
Thus, in New Delhi’s North and Central districts, all police stations with jurisdiction over state borders must prohibit gatherings of five or more unauthorized individuals, carrying of weapons or signs in public areas from September 30 to October 5. Violators will face punishment as per Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, previously known as section 188 of IPC.
Meanwhile, Saurabh Bhardwaj, a minister in Delhi, stated in a post on X, “Unacknowledged state of emergency.” This directive lists 100 reasons supporting the need for a curfew-like situation in Delhi. None of the explanations seem sincere. He expressed his belief that the Centre is afraid that the people of Delhi will speak out against the increase in gangsters and extortion-related firing incidents in the city.