The Mumbai Police denied on Saturday that no curfew had been enforced in the city. People were urged not to panic by the police. Vishwas Nangre Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), clarified that this was not a curfew and that the action is regularly taken to maintain peace in the city and prevent public order disturbances. In a video message, Nangre Patil stated that the reports circulating in the city are untrue, leading to misunderstandings.
”I want to clarify that the order is imposed every 15 days to check on people taking out rallies without police permission and trying to disrupt law and order,” the senior official said.
There is no connection between Section 144 and everyday life. He urged people not to spread rumors about the order, saying that it applies to schools, colleges, theaters, political functions, and other events.
Intelligence agencies allegedly provided information to the police about terror attacks, particularly those that targeted VIPs. Drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, hand gliders, paramotors, paragliders, and hot air balloons are among the items that will not be allowed to fly over the city for 30 days as part of the restrictions.
According to news agency PTI, flying such objects is allowed for police aerial surveillance or with special written authorization from the deputy commissioner of police (operations). The use of gadgets like drones and paragliders is intended to curb “terrorist and anti-national elements.” The order states that terrorists and anti-national elements may use drones, paragliders, and other similar devices in their attacks against VVIPs and the general public.
The order, which comes before Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, prohibits the gathering of four or more people under Section 144. Such objects may only be flown in support of police aerial surveillance operations or with the deputy commissioner of police’s express written consent (operations). Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code will be applied to those found in violation of the order, according to the Mumbai Police.
What is Section 144?
Any state or territory’s executive magistrate may issue an order under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 that forbids the gathering of four or more people in one location. Every participant in such an “unlawful assembly” may be charged with rioting under the law. When there is an immediate threat of nuisance or something that could potentially cause trouble or damage to property or human life, Section 144 is enforced. Public gatherings are generally forbidden by Section 144 of the CrPC. Restrictions have previously been imposed under Section 144 to stop protests that might spark rioting or other forms of unrest. The Executive Magistrate has been given the authority to enforce Section 144 in an emergency. For more details please check Here.
What is the Timeline of Section 144 order?
No order issued under Section 144 may be extended by the state government for a period longer than two months, but it may be extended for a maximum of six months. If things return to normal, it can be withdrawn at any time.”
- Restrictions To Be Followed
- 1. Days before the city’s widely attended Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, Section 144 was ordered to be put into effect.
- 2. Drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paramotors, hand gliders, paragliders, and hot air balloons are prohibited from flying over the city for 30 days as part of Section 144’s restrictions.
- 3. The deputy commissioner of police (operations) may specifically grant written permission for the flying of such objects, or it may be permitted for police aerial surveillance.
- 4. The police stated that section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was used to issue the prohibitory order, which will be in effect from December 20, 2023, to January 18, 2024.
- 5. The order states that terrorist and anti-national elements can target VVIPs and put the public in danger by using drones, paragliders, and other similar devices in their attacks.
- 6. The police went on to say that the likelihood of terrorists and other anti-national elements using drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, etc. made the preventive order necessary.
- 7. Police went on to say that terrorist groups may target VVIPs to disrupt law and order in the city, destroy public property, and put public safety at risk.
- 8. Mumbai Police continued by stating that anyone found to violate the directive would face consequences under Indian Penal Code Section 188 (To know more – Click Here)