New Delhi, Jul 3 : Having learnt their lesson the hard way after the Ramdev fiasco, Delhi Police has laid down strict guidelines for organizers of future protests, reports Times of India.
An order, signed by Delhi Police commissioner B K Gupta, details how rallies, processions, demonstrations and protests in the city should be conducted from now on. The order comes into effect on June 22.
Sources in the Delhi police said they consulted lawyers and followed recent Supreme Court and Delhi High Court orders while drafting the order. The order states that the onus of maintaining peace during protests is now on the organizers .
Before any protest, organizers will have to meet police to discuss the conditions in which the protest can be planned without any disruption .
Organizers will have to provide an undertaking that they will ensure a peaceful march or protest and all weapons — including knives and lathis — will be banned. All processions and rallies have an impact on traffic movement .
The Supreme Court in its guidelines has mentioned that more than one fourth of a road cannot be occupied by a procession . Organizers should allow two-way movement of vehicles during a procession.
The Apex Court has also ordered that loudspeakers can be used only between 6am and 10pm as provided under Noise Pollution Rules under the Environment Act, 1986.
Not only police, the organizers will also have to obtain a 'No Objection Certificate' from the land owning agency.Police and state government will ensure all protests are videographed .
The former will have to submit a report to the state government on various events, and state if any damage was caused. In the event of noncompliance with any of these conditions, the function will be declared unlawful and legal action launched against violators.
