Section 144 at 62 Mewat exam centres; move to check cheating, say officials

Gurgaon: The Mewat administration has imposed prohibitory orders outside 62 examination centres over the past two days.
While Section 144 of CrPC was imposed on Wednesday outside four CBSE exam centres — two in Nuh and one each in Nagina and Tauru — the ambit of the order was extended on Thursday to 58 centres across Nuh, Ferozpur-Jhirkha and Punhana for Haryana Open School (HOS) secondary/senior secondary exams. The CBSE exams will be on till March 31 and the HOS exams will be held from March 3-31.
On December 25, several areas in Mewat district were put under prohibitory orders in view of the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). The administration termed it a ‘precautionary’ measure and issued an advisory asking people, especially youth, ‘not to be influenced by any individual or group to participate in any procession or agitation’. The orders were revised on January 16, wherein the district magistrate revised the area limits where Section 144 would continue.
Government officials said the move is routine and has nothing to do with the protests, and the main objective is to avoid large gatherings that may lead to cheating.
As per the new orders, a gathering of five or more people and operation of photocopy machines within a 200-metre radius of the centres will be strictly prohibited. Only students appearing for the exams, teachers and other officials on duty will be allowed to enter the premises. Anyone found violating the orders could face punishment under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
In his order, district magistrate Pankaj said there was a pressing need to restrict the ‘free movement’ of people in and around the centres and to avoid unnecessary interference. “It appears that the crowd may assemble around the centres and may create obstructions or injury to any person lawfully employed and may also result in disturbance to public space and tranquility,” he said.
Some students said the order adds to their stress. “We don’t know why centres are being locked down like this. It sends out a message that something may happen there. Even our parents are concerned,” said Dipender, a Class 10 student in Marora village.