Uttar Pradesh: Section 144 extended in Noida till August 31 amid rising COVID-19 cases, upcoming festivals

Gautam Buddha Nagar administration on Friday extended imposition of Section 144 in the district, owing to upcoming festivals and examinations along with increasing COVID-19 cases.

As per the orders issued by the Police Commissionerate, the prohibitory orders will be in place from July 1 to August 31 and strict action will be taken against violators.

“In view of increasing Covid-19 cases and upcoming festivals and examinations in Commissionerate Gautam Budh Nagar, under prohibitory orders, CrPC Section-144 is modified and extended from 01.07.2022 to 31.08.2022,” Noida Police wrote on Twitter. 

कमिश्नरेट गौतमबुद्धनगर में कोविड-19 व आगामी त्योहारों एवं परीक्षाओं के दृष्टिगत लागू निषेधाज्ञा अंतर्गत सीआरपीसी धारा-144 को संशोधित करते हुए दिनांक 01.07.2022 से 31.08.2022 तक बढ़ाया जाता है। pic.twitter.com/undtxaeWql

— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR (@noidapolice) July 1, 2022

The police said social gatherings are not allowed in the district without permission, adding that it is compulsory to wear masks and maintain social distancing. 

The authorities have also prohibited any kind of protests or hunger strike without prior permission. Police will take action on violators for organising any program without permission, the order added. 

"None will be allowed to pray or even instigate others to pray at any disputed place," the order read. According to the guidelines, the people disobeying the order will be charged under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. 

Noida on Thursday reported 84 fresh Covid-19 cases while the active case tally in the district reached 577. On the other hand, Ghaziabad reported 40 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total number of active cases to 282.