Noida: Section 163 Enforced in Gautam Buddha Nagar Till Oct 20
Gautam Buddha Nagar police impose Section 163 BNSS to prevent unrest during festivals, exams, and protests. Read the full list of restrictions here.
The Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissionerate has officially imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, across the entire district. The order, effective from October 10 to October 20, aims to maintain strict law and order during a period marked by major festivals, critical examinations, and potential public demonstrations.
The ex parte directive, issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Archana Singh, comes as the region prepares for the festive season, including Navratri, Mahanavami, and Dussehra. Additionally, the administration is bracing for various government recruitment tests, board exams, and planned protests by political groups and farmer unions.
Strict Bans on Gatherings and Processions
Under the new regulations, the following restrictions are now in effect across the district:
- Public Assemblies: The gathering of five or more individuals in public spaces is strictly prohibited.
- Unauthorized Movement: Unauthorised processions on main roads, thoroughfares, and toll plazas are banned without prior police clearance.
- Religious Restrictions: Holding religious gatherings, performing Puja, or offering Namaz in public places or on roads requires valid permission. The display of religious banners, flags, or posters at disputed locations is also forbidden.
Protections for Students and Exam Centres
To ensure that upcoming competitive and board examinations are conducted without disruption, the police have implemented specific security measures around testing sites:
- Crowd Control: Any gathering of five or more people within a 200-meter radius of an examination centre is prohibited.
- Vendor Restrictions: Photocopy shops located near exam centres must remain closed on the day of the examination and one day prior to the test.
Noise Control and Drone Regulations
The administration is also enforcing strict rules regarding sound and technology to prevent public nuisance and security threats:
In compliance with High Court guidelines, loudspeakers are banned between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. All sound-amplifying devices must adhere to prescribed decibel limits for residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Furthermore, the use of drones is prohibited within a one-kilometre radius of government buildings and throughout the district unless explicit permission is granted.
Safety and Social Media Vigilance
To prevent violence and communal tension, several other preventive measures have been introduced:
- Weapon Ban: Carrying firearms, sharp-edged weapons, lathis, or engaging in celebratory firing is completely banned.
- Hazardous Materials: The storage of bricks, stones, soda-water bottles, or flammable materials on rooftops and open plots is restricted.
- Public Nuisance: Public consumption of alcohol and the sale or use of Chinese manjha are prohibited.
- Digital Monitoring: The police have issued a stern warning against spreading rumours, inflammatory content, or misleading information on social media that could damage communal harmony.
The authorities have made it clear that any individual found violating these prohibitory orders will face criminal prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.