Section 144 to be imposed ahead of UP panchayat polls

Meerut, Sep 29: The district administration here has decided to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC from October 1 till November 15 in view of upcoming panchayat polls in the state and the festival season in this time period.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973, empowers a magistrate to prohibit an assembly of more than ten people in an area.

"In view of the upcoming panchayat polls, Muharram and Diwali, prohibitory orders under Section 144 would be imposed in the district from 6 AM of October 1 till 12 midnight of November 15 to prevent anti-social elements from disturbing peace," the district magistrate said.

Strict action would be initiated against those violating the prohibitory order, he said. The Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls are scheduled to be held in two parts, with the first leg of voting to begin on October 9, state Election Commission had said.

The first part would be held in four phases - October 9, 13, 17 and 29 - and counting would be held on November 1.

PTI