The Kolkata Police have implemented Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), prohibiting any gathering of five or more persons for a span of 60 days, starting from May 28. This decision stems from what the authorities describe as “credible” intelligence suggesting the likelihood of violent protests leading to substantial disruptions to public peace and tranquillity. The West Bengal BJP, however, called it a “desperate move” by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow.
According to Commissioner of Police Vineet Kumar Goyal, “Violent demonstrations are likely to take place resulting in large-scale disturbances of the public tranquillity and breach of the peace.” The prohibition is specifically directed towards the areas under Bowbazar Police Station, Hare Street Police Station, and Headquarters Traffic Guard, excluding Bentick Street.
“Kolkata Commissioner of Police imposes section 144 of the IPC prohibiting any unlawful assembly of five or more persons for 60 days from 28.05.2024 to 26.07.2024 or until further order based on information received from credible sources that violent demonstrations are likely to take place resulting in large-scale disturbances of the public tranquillity and breach of the peace,” CP Vineet Kumar Goyal stated, as per an order copy shared by news agency ANI.
Kolkata Commissioner of Police imposes section 144 of the IPC prohibiting any unlawful assembly of five or more persons for 60 days from 28.05.2024 to 26.07.2024 or until further order based on information received from credible sources that violent demonstrations are likely to… pic.twitter.com/qkxdOefwz0
— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2024
Responding to this, Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar alleged a “desperate move” to stop PM Modi’s roadshow. “The CM, sensing the will of the masses after 5 phases of election, is now fearful. In a desperate move, she has ordered police to implement Article 144 in Kolkata to stop Modiji’s road-show. Let TMC know: No evil tactics can stop the BJP,” he posted.
Kolkata Police countered the claim by stating, “Kolkata Police issues 144 Cr PC order in vicinity of Dalhousie and Victoria house on regular basis. This is nothing new and copies of previous orders being attached. So please refrain from spreading misleading information.”
Kolkata Police issues 144 Cr PC order in vicinity of Dalhousie and Victoria house on regular basis. This is nothing new and copies of previous orders being attached. So please refrain from spreading misleading information. https://t.co/UdpHbUCACl pic.twitter.com/JL7SgBtDDD
— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) May 24, 2024
Commissioner Goyal, acting as an Executive Magistrate for the Kolkata Metropolitan area and parts of South 24 Parganas, invoked his authority under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, to prevent any rallies, meetings, processions, or demonstrations that could lead to the breach of peace and public disturbance.
The order, published ex-parte under subsection 2 of Section 144 of Cr.P.C, 1973, will be disseminated to the public through the press, Kolkata Police Gazette, and notices posted at Divisional Deputy Commissioners of Police offices, relevant police stations, and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
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Monks Hold Protest Rally In Kolkata Against CM Mamata Banerjee’s Remarks
Earlier in the day, a rally organised by monks took place in Kolkata, denouncing recent comments made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against certain seers of the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevasharam Sangha. Named Sant Swabhiman Yatra, the rally, led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and members of the Bangiya Sanyasi Samaj, marched from Bagbazar to Shimla Street, the ancestral residence of Swami Vivekananda.
Expressing discontent, a protesting monk stated, “We condemn the remarks by the honourable chief minister against us. We are pained and feel insulted by the derogatory remarks. She is not following Raj Dharma”, as reported by news agency PTI.
Senior VHP leader Sourish Mukherjee criticised the Chief Minister, alleging that her remarks stem from vote bank politics and target revered institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevasharam Sangha.
This rally comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accusation during a recent election rally, where he accused Banerjee of threatening monks for vote bank politics. Banerjee, however, clarified that her criticism was directed towards specific individuals within these monastic orders and not the institutions themselves.
In a separate incident, the Ramakrishna Mission premises in Jalpaiguri were vandalised, and monks and employees were allegedly threatened at gunpoint. The Mission has filed a complaint at Bhaktinagar police station against local miscreants suspected to be part of a property dispute.
