Section 144 imposed in Delhi for a month ahead of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo March'

Police personnel deployed near Singhu border in view of farmers` `Delhi Chalo March`, in Sonipat district, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. A large number of farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab are expected to march towards the national capital on Tuesday. PTI Photo

In anticipation of potential "social unrest" due to the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo March' scheduled for Tuesday, the Delhi Police has enforced Section 144, prohibiting gatherings, processions, and rallies in the national capital for a month.

The order, issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, specifically bans the entry of tractor trolleys carrying people into Delhi and any form of blocking roads and passages. It will be effective from February 12 to March 12, newswire PTI reported.

The order comes amidst the planned protest by farmers from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, who intend to march to Delhi. Several farmers' unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), have announced the march to press for their demands, including outside the Parliament House.

The order, issued on February 11, reads, "There is an imminent risk of widespread tension, public nuisance, public annoyance, social unrest and the potential for violence on account of the participants of the march entering into the territory of New Delhi," it said.

The order said, "The participants are likely to use tractors, trolleys, trailers as mode of transport for entering into the territory of Delhi which will inevitably be a great hazard on roads and will cause danger to other road users, residents of Delhi."

The order also said, "There is a likelihood that some anti-social elements, agitator groups may take advantage of the situation and indulge in activities prejudicial to the maintenance of peace, public order as well as law and order in Delhi."

"Therefore, to ensure public safety, tranquility and public order in Delhi, it has become imperative to take all required precautionary steps to keep a check on the activities of the participants of the above-mentioned march for which no permission has been granted," it added.

More particularly taking into consideration the past experience of farmer agitation organised in 2020 and valuable inputs of large scale serious law and order problem, received from intelligence agencies, it is necessary to take legal steps to avoid any such situation, it added.

As per the restrictions issued by the Delhi Police, there shall be a prohibition on assembly of people, blocking of roads, any type of procession agitation, rally, public meeting by the agitators.

The order stated there will be a ban on carrying corrosive substances, explosives, any fire-arms or any lethal weapon or any other article capable of being used as a weapon of offence or defense at any public place within the territory of Delhi.

There will be a complete prohibition on collecting or carrying of brickbats, boulders, acids or any other dangerous fluid, petrol, soda water bottles or any articles capable of use for causing danger in any form to human life and safety.

The order also said all vehicular traffic originating from the borders of adjoining districts of states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh shall be subjected to rigorous and thorough inspection by police.

Any vehicle found to be transporting lathis, rods, banners or similar objects likely to be used for disruptive purposes shall be denied entry into Delhi, it said.

The order further said there will be a prohibition on provocative actions, slogans, speech or messages through verbal, written or electronic means, which may incite or inflame passions leading to a breach of public order and tranquility.

There will also be the prohibition on use of loud-speaker, any amplifier or other similar instrument in or at any private vehicles or private building or public place unless allowed by the competent authority, it added.

The Delhi Police has also sought extension of full cooperation with the residents, community leaders and stakeholders for the implementation of the order.