Gatherings can result in cancellation of passports

Ludhiana: Gathering without permission in Ludhiana may cost heavy now, as the local police have decided to get passports cancelled of those, who would gather in a group of five or more.
The decision is apparently to reinforce the restriction already in place to prevent gathering of more than five persons under Section 144 CrPC, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The Punjab government has also banned protests and rallies in the state.
Speaking with TOI, police commissioner Rakesh Agarwal said, “The Covid-19 cases are increasing alarmingly. It’s time to be strict with the violators. The police have already gone strict against those found without masks. In addition, now they are also going to be strict with those gathering without permission.”
The officer said the state government has given permission of 30 persons for marriage functions and 20 for funerals. Further, there is already a ban on the protests and rallies, and gathering of more than five persons in the state.
“If there is a need for gathering, apart from marriage functions and funerals, people have to take permission from the district administration. Therefore, from now on, if more than five persons gather anywhere, for example for a protest, the passports of all of them will be cancelled. The police will write to the passport authority for the purpose. FIRs will also be lodged against them,” he said.
Agarwal said people should understand that any kind of negligence in wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing or gathering could cause spread of the virus.