The Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on Monday announced prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across the city with immediate effect.

The order that came a day ahead of the protest march to Delhi announced by the farmers associations will remain in force for 30 days unless withdrawn earlier, according to a notice issued by the Delhi Police.

The order issued by the Delhi Police reads: “Whereas, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and several other farmers unions and associations have announced a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on 13th of February 2024 to hold protest outside the Parliament House, to press their demands. And whereas there exists a well-founded apprehension/possibility that the participants of the aforementioned march may try to enter the territory of Delhi from various entry points. 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 Delhi/ New Delhi.”

The police have also said there could be a likelihood of anti- social elements, agitator groups may take advantage of the situation and indulge in activities prejudicial to the maintenance of peace, public order and law and order in Delhi.

According to the Delhi Police order, no permission has been granted for the above mentioned march, more particularly taking into consideration the past experience of the farmer agitation in 2020 and also based on valuable inputs of large scale problems of law and order, which was received from the intelligence agencies.

As per the order, there will be a prohibition on assembly, blocking of roads, passages, procession agitation, rallies, agitations rallies, and foot marches, public meetings by the general public or public representatives.

There will be a prohibition on carrying processions, rallies, political or social within the geographical limits of the city and also restrictions on entry in Delhi of tractors and trolleys carrying individuals, materials, especially those carrying sticks, lathis, dandas (canes), swords, firearms or anything capable of being used as tools of violence, and also a ban on entry of corrosive or explosive materials into Delhi.

Meanwhile, the police have also ordered security measures to be taken up at the border points of the city, and inspection of vehicles will also be conducted, and if any vehicle found carrying restricted materials shall not be allowed to enter the city.

There is also a prohibition on carrying brickbats, bounders, acids, dangerous fluids, or any article   which can be misused for causing danger to human life and safety. “Any person contravening the provisions of this order shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of Indian Penal Code (Act No 45 of 1860) and shall be liable for criminal prosecution in accordance with the law,” the order further said.

However, the order won’t be applicable to any processions or meetings organised by the government, or any public servant acting in the discharge of his duty, congregations or processions relating to any weddings, funerals or other purely religious functions.

Meanwhile, diversion advisories were also issued in Haryana’s, Karnal, and Kurukshetra areas as security was stepped up at the Punjab-Haryana border with barriers in place.