Kolkata Police imposes Section 144 for 60 days from May 28 to prevent 'violent demonstrations', BJP cries foul

The Kolkata Police on Friday announced imposition of Section 144 prohibiting any unlawful assembly of five or more persons for 60 days from May 28 till July 26 over 'credible' information that 'violent demonstrations are likely to take place resulting in large-scale disturbances of the public tranquility.'

Sharing the order issued by the Kolkata Police on May 22, state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Friday alleged that prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC were imposed in central Kolkata to stop PM Narendra Modi's roadshow in the city.

"Let TMC know: No evil tactics can stop the BJP," Majumdar wrote on X.

Kolkata Police, however, quoting Majumdar's post on X, said that such prohibitory orders in central Kolkata are issued on a regular basis. They urged him to 'refrain from spreading misleading information'.

In the order shared by Majumdar, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal said the prohibitory orders would be in force for 60 days, from May 28 to July 26 as "...information has been 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 in the area falls under Bowbazar Police Station, Hare Street Police Station and Headquarters Traffic Guard which is from K.C. Das Crossing towards Victoria House (C.E.S.C. Head Office) and its vicinity excluding Bentick Street".

(With PTI inputs)