Chandigarh administration bans protests, rallies & dharnas in whole city except Rally Ground

Chandigarh administration bans protests, rallies & dharnas in whole city except Rally Ground

Chandigarh, July 19, 2021:

The Chandigarh Administration has imposed a complete ban on protests, dharnas, rallies, etc for next 60 days in the whole city except Sector 25 Rally Ground.

As per the administration Rally Ground, Sector 25, was earmarked for taking out processions, rallies, dharnas, etc. and no permission has been granted by the Chandigarh Administration to organize processions, rallies, dharnas, etc. elsewhere in the city other than the rally ground.

This has been decided to avoid traffic congestion, keeping in view of the convenience of the general public.

Chandigarh District Magistrate Mandip Singh Brar said that certain groups of people plans to organize processions, rallies, dharnas, etc., and resort to other agitation methods in the city other than the earmarked/designated place i.e. Rally Ground, Sector 25, Chandigarh. He said that there is an apprehension that such groups/organizations/unions might cause obstruction, annoyance or injury to the persons lawfully employed or other general public and endanger human life and property; disturb public peace and tranquility and cause riots and affrays.

The district magistrate has prohibited the public from taking out procession, rally, protest, strike, making speeches, raising slogans of gathering/assembly of 5 or more people etc within the territory of Chandigarh other than Rally Ground for a period of 60 days.

Also, prior permission for organizing procession, rally, protest, strike, making speeches, raising slogans, gathering/assembly of 5 or more people etc. at Rally Ground, Sector-25, Chandigarh must be obtained from the Competent Authority, i.e, the District Magistrate/concerned Sub Divisional Magistrate, U.T., Chandigarh

However the order will not apply to:

(I)The police or Para-military or military persons or any other Government servant on official duties;

(ii)The processions or meetings for which prior permission in writing of the District Magistrate/concerned Sub Divisional Magistrate, Chandigarh, has been obtained;

(iii) The customary and ritualistic procession in connection with weddings and funerals.

This order shall come into force from zero hours on 19.07.2021 and shall be effective for a period of sixty days up to and including 16.09.2021.

In view of the emergent nature of the order, it is being issued ex-parte and is addressed to the public in general: Any breach of this order would invite action under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, said the magistrate.