Mumbai Police Ban Weapons And Explosives Ahead Of Festive Season
Ahead of the upcoming festive season, the Mumbai Police have issued a prohibitory order barring citizens from carrying weapons, explosives, and other potentially harmful articles across Mumbai from August 29 to September 27. The measure has been put in place to maintain public peace and ensure safety during major celebrations.
The order was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Akbar Pathan under the Maharashtra Police Act, an official said on Tuesday. The preventive restrictions come ahead of Dahi Handi, which will be celebrated on September 5, and the ten-day Ganesh festival starting on September 14.
Under the directive, carrying arms such as swords, spears, knives, sticks, lathis, and other articles capable of causing physical harm is strictly prohibited, except where specific permission has been granted by a competent authority. The restriction also extends to the possession of corrosive substances or explosives, as well as the collection or preparation of stones, missiles, or any instruments capable of launching projectiles.
The order further bans the public exhibition of persons, corpses, figures, or effigies. It also restricts public utterances, songs, music, speeches, gestures, mimetic representations, pictures, symbols, placards, or any other material that police officers deem capable of offending decency, undermining public security, or attempting to overthrow the state.
Police personnel have been authorised to disarm anyone found in possession of prohibited items and to seize corrosive substances, explosives, or missiles. All seized articles may be forfeited to the state government.
Exemptions have been granted to government employees and personnel of government undertakings who are required to carry weapons as part of their official duties. Additionally, private security guards, Gurkhas, and chowkidars engaged in watch-and-ward duties are permitted to carry lathis, provided they do not exceed 3.5 feet in length.
The police noted that the expiry of the prohibitory order on September 27 will not affect any investigations or legal proceedings initiated against violations during the operational period. Punishments, forfeitures, and penalties for violations may still be imposed after the order expires.
