Omicron scare: Section 144 imposed in Mumbai for weekend

MUMBAI: In the backdrop of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, the Mumbai Police has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on Saturday and Sunday.

The order prohibits any rally or morcha or procession etc., of either persons or vehicles.

The order shall come into force with effect from 12.01am on December 11 and will remain in place until midnight on December 12.

"Any person contravening this order shall be punishable under Section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable," said a statement issued by DCP S Chaitanya, the spokesperson for Mumbai Police.

The order says that Omicron has sparked fear of a possible third wave of the pandemic, threatening the safety and health of people.

This makes it imperative to continue emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of the virus with a view to prevent danger to human life, health or safety and prevent any threat to law and order situation, the statement says.

The order also comes in the backdrop of incidents of violence reported in Amravati, Malegaon and Nanded during November 2021, "posing a threat to prevailing law and order situation in Maharashtra."