Kolkata police imposes Section 144 in certain parts of the city from 28 May to 26 July to avoid ’violent demonstrations’

The Kolkata police on Friday announced the imposition of section 144 prohibiting any unlawful assembly of five or more persons for 60 days from May 28 over "credible" information that "violent demonstrations are likely to take place resulting in large-scale disturbances of the public tranquillity."

“The prohibition of any unlawful assembly of five or more persons will remain in place from May 28 till July 26, 2024, or until further order,” the Kolkata police commissioner's order read. 

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Based on information received from credible sources that violent demonstrations are likely to take place resulting in large-scale disturbances of the public tranquility and breach of the peace, said CP Vineet Kumar Goyal.

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“In exercise of the power conferred by Sub-Section(1) of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act 2 of 1974) read with the Sub-Section(3) of the said Section, I, Vineet Kumar Goyal, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata being an Executive Magistrate for the Metropolitan area of Kolkata as well as in the district of South 24 Parganas (within the limits of the suburbs of Kolkata falling under Kolkata police jurisdiction) do hereby prohibit for a period of 60 (Sixty) days from 28.05.2024 to 26.07.2024 or until further order, any unlawful assembly of 05 or more persons, carrying of lathi, any lethal or other dangerous weapons or doing of any act which is likely to cause breach of the peace and disturbances of the public tranquillity and disruption of vehicular traffic within the said area in the town of Kolkata,” said the order.

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The Kolkata police commissioner further said, he is of the opinion that “there is sufficient cause to …not allowing any rallies/meetings/processions/ dharnas/ demonstrations …in the Town of Kolkata, so as to ensure immediate prevention of breach of peace, disturbances of the public tranquillity in the said Ares in view of the larger public interest.”

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police have clarified the order, saying that they issue 144 CrPC orders in the vicinity of Dalhousie and Victoria's House on a regular basis. Such orders are renewed every two months.

Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Kolkata Police attached copies of previous orders and appealed to refrain from spreading misleading information.