On Thursday morning, ahead of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 was imposed in Bengaluru. The section will only be revoked on the midnight of December 21. Following this, protests set to happen in the city were called off and many prominent figures including historian Ramachandra Guha were arrested.
With the onset of protests, the section was imposed in different India cities and states. This includes Uttar Pradesh and parts of Delhi. Apart from these, people have been denied permission to protest in parts of Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
According to The Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an executive magistrate can prohibit an assembly of more than four people in an area. Those violating the orders can spend upto 3 years in prison. It also says, "An order under this section may, in cases of emergency or in cases where the circumstances do not admit of the serving in due time of a notice upon the person against whom the order is directed, be passed ex parte."
Police officers in Bengaluru and Uttar Pradesh have tweeted asking the people to stay indoors and abstain from protesting. "Sec 144' is in force and no permission for any gathering has been given for 19.12.19. Please do not participate. Parents are also requested to counsel their children," tweeted the Uttar Pradesh DGP OP Singh.
"Please don't provoke citizens and mislead them into violation of orders Sec.144 CRPC. Education, banks and markets will remain functional. All transport services will be available as usual," tweets Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Division, Bengaluru.
