Section 144 imposed in Noida, Greater Noida till August 3; no namaz, puja permitted at public places, roads

Section 144 in Noida: Gautam Budh Nagar Police have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) from July 20  to August 3 in  Noida and Greater Noida, restricting public gatherings and unpermitted religious activity.  As per the order, nobody will be allowed to offer namaz or do puja at public places or roads across Noida and Greater Noida. The order also restricts carrying out any procession without permission.

Section 144 from July 20 to August 3

To carry out such activities, permission has to be taken from the commissioner of police or the additional commissioner of police or the deputy commissioners of police concerned of the three zones of the district, according to the order.  According to the order issued by Additional DCP (law and order) Hirdesh Katheriya, the  restrictions under CrPC section 144 would be effective from July 20 and would remain in force till August 3 for a period of 15 days.

The restrictions have been invoked in view of the upcoming Muharram procession, the Asian Junior Athletes (sports event that will have participants from foreign countries), a farmers' protest and competitive examinations in the district during the period, the police said. As part of the restrictions, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has prohibited the assembly of 5 or more people in the district. However, if any person tries to violate the rules in the district, strict action will be taken against him.

Section 144 in Noida: List of Restrictions

• Five or more people cannot gather  or assemble in a any public place.
• No procession can be taken out during this time without prior permission from the CP, Additional CP or the DCPs concerned. 
• Flying drones above or within a one-km radius of government offices will remain completely banned. Using such unmanned aerial vehicles for photography or video recording at other locations will also require police permission.
• Namaz or puja or processions or any other religious activity will remain totally prohibited at  public places and roads.  In unavoidable situations, permission for holding such activities would have to be taken from the commissioner of police or the additional commissioner of police or the deputy commissioners of police concerned of the three zones of the district.
• The use of loudspeakers are completely banned in any religious place. They can only be used within permissible noise levels.
• Religious activities would not be held at any controversial place where there has not been a tradition of offering prayers and no one should encourage others to do so.
• There will be no religious posters, banners, flags on walls of religious places.
• Nobody would take pigs, dogs or any stray animals near religious places or on routes of permitted processions during religious gatherings to prevent hurting sentiments of any community nor would anyone encourage others to do so.
• Carrying any kind of sharp, inflammable or any other dangerous objects is also restricted.
• Firing in public places by any person during marriage processions and other occasions is strictly prohibited.
• Drinking alcohol or consuming drugs in public places is strictly prohibited.
• No person shall spread false information and such rumors through oral or written, electronic or social media, which may cause a breach of peace.
• During the period of the CrPC section 144 restrictions, legal action would be taken against those misbehaving with or assaulting any police official, civic authority worker, sanitation worker or health department official.
• No person shall store or keep brick stones, soda water bottles, inflammable substances or any explosive material in any open place or on the roofs of houses, which can be used to create terror or in any violent activities.
• People will have to follow Covid-19 protocol at religious places. All restaurants, hotels and food joints have also been instructed to follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour as per their capacity.