No religious prayers or processions will be allowed at public places or disputed sites across Noida and Greater Noida on Holi, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police said on March 24. In addition, Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed across the Noida and Greater Noida district for Holi.
Police also ordered that no person shall consume “liquor or intoxicating substances” at any public place and warned that action will be taken under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) in case of the violation of the order.
In its order, the police noted that “peace may be disturbed due to protests by various party workers, farmers’ groups, and other protestors”.
Additional DCP (law and order) Hirdesh Katheriya in the order said, “Considering the seriousness and urgency of the situation and due to paucity of time, it is not possible to provide an opportunity of hearing to any other party, hence this order is being passed ex-parte.” According to the order, unlawful assembly of five or more people, unauthorised processions or demonstrations, political or religious, are prohibited.
The order bars the use of private drones within a radius of 1 km of government establishments and also bans people from carrying sticks, rods, tridents, swords and firearms in public places.
Although namaz, pooja and any type of religious processions are completely prohibited in public places and public routes, in case of unavoidable circumstances, permission will have to be taken from the Police Commissioner, or the Additional Commissioner of Police or the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned Police Zone, as per the order.
It also directs that no person should let loose animals like pigs and dogs roam in public places, religious places, procession routes or near religious places during religious gatherings, nor should they cooperate with anyone in doing so, as it might offend certain community’s feelings.
