Hyderabad Police Ban Protests, Gatherings to Maintain Public Order

Hyderabad: Hyderabad police commissioner C.V. Anand imposed an order prohibiting public gatherings, dharnas and protests around the Secretariat, in a bid to maintain public order.

Anand has issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023. This order prohibits the gathering of five or more persons, processions, dharnas, ralles or public meetings and any display of symbols, speeches, gestures, or placards that could incite a public disturbance.

Anything as mentioned that is likely to cause disturbance to the public peace and order only, in a distance of 500 metres around the Secretariat will be prohibited, Anand stated in a press release.

“Peaceful dharnas and protests are allowed only at Dharna Chowk in Indira Park and any dharnas or protests anywhere else in Hyderabad and Secunderabad is not permitted, the order read.

“The public are hereby informed that any person violating the above prohibitory orders in a distance of 500 metres around the Secretariat shall be liable for prosecution under appropriate penal provisions,” added the order.

However, police officials and military personnel on duty, bonafide funeral processions and flying squads of the education department and persons or groups duly by competent authority were exempted from the operation of the order, it said.