In an effort to avert “violent demonstrations,” the Kolkata Police on Friday announced the implementation of Section 144, which forbids gatherings of five or more individuals in the city for 60 days beginning on May 28. In Kolkata and certain areas of South 24 Parganas, which are also under the control of Kolkata Police, Section 144 will remain in effect till July 26.
Kolkata police statement, ”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 tranquility and breach of the peace.”
Kolkata Police issues 144 Cr PC order in vicinity of Dalhousie and Victoria house on regular basis. This is nothing new and such orders are renewed every two months.
Copies of previous orders attached. So please refrain from spreading misleading information. https://t.co/NrTyONsIqs pic.twitter.com/w34dHh4RRC— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) May 24, 2024
Amit Malviya, the head of the IT Cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), blogged on X with a political perspective. “A scared Mamata Banerjee has ordered Kolkata Police to impose Section 144 for a period of 60 days starting from 28th May 2024 to 26th July 2024. The greater Kolkata region is to poll on 1st Jun and Prime Minister Modi is to hold a roadshow in the city on 28th May. Aware of her slipping political capital in the Kolkata region, Mamata Banerjee is doing what she does best – hiding behind Kolkata Police! Read this move as a sign of her nervousness and shape of things to come.”
The news that Section 144 will be implemented coincided with a large-scale demonstration by sadhus, or monks, in Kolkata against remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee disparaging Bharat Sevashram Sangha monk Kartik Maharaj. Chanting slogans to depose Mamata as the state’s chief minister, the monks were observed doing.
“All monks are not the same… I have always respected Bharat Sevashram Sangha. But I came to know there is a monk in Baharampur, named Kartik Maharaj, who said he won’t allow TMC agents to perform his work. I don’t respect such a monk. I don’t consider him as a monk,” Mamata had said.
She reiterated her statement and made it clear that she was talking about a specific monk in response to the overwhelming outcry against her statements.
I have only spoken against an individual. I have no problem with someone supporting the BJP but I urge him to do it publicly… I don’t speak without evidence,” Mamata had said.
Author: Rohit Singh
Rohit Singh is passionate individual currently pursuing a degree in Journalism and Mass communication , driven by a desire to do something in the media industry . Driven by a desire to revolutionize media, I aspire to lead by example and instigate a shift towards more responsible and impactful journalism. I love to learn new things and try to adapt them
