The city police on Tuesday published a form — with a list of 27 norms — that organisers have to fill in and submit for permission to hold a meeting or a march at any public place.
Earlier, organisers used to hand letters to the local police seeking permission, which were either accepted or rejected.
Henceforth, the police said, march and meeting organisers have to give a written undertaking that they will abide by all 27 norms, without which the cops will not issue a no-objection certificate for the event.
Non-compliance of any of the norms will lead to penal action against the organisers, officers said.
All 27 norms have been listed in the form that the organisers have to fill in, the officers said.
The organisers have to state that they will not obstruct traffic, honk or use loudspeakers in silence zones, or hire DJ sets.
The organisers have to ensure that the turnout does not cross the figure they mention in the form.
Also, they have to abide by the ban on bike rallies, fireworks and use of provocative and inciteful language (see ORGANISERS BEWARE chart below for some of the 27 norms).
Details of the march for which permission is being sought — such as the exact start and end time, starting point, culmination point, route, expected number of participants, vehicles and their details and the number of volunteers (with their names and contact numbers) — have to be submitted.
The organisation applying for permission has to mention its name, address and contact number.
The application form also mentions that Kolkata police reserve the right to withdraw the permission “if the situation so requires”.
The move comes within a week of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha’s observations at Calcutta High Court on the permission granted by the police to Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s rally at the base of Shahid Minar, near the spot where state government employees have been holding a sit-in on the dearness allowance issue.
The application form, which can be downloaded from the website of the city police, is addressed to the joint commissioner of police (headquarters).
Joint commissioner (headquarters) Santosh Pandey told The Telegraph efforts were being made to display online the status of the rallies that have been granted permission for the benefit of commuters.
ORGANISERS BEWARE
Some of the 27 norms mentioned in the form
- The applicant shall be present throughout the proposed programme and held accountable for any lapse.
- The number of participants in the proposed procession or meeting should not cross the figure mentioned in the form.
- Use of loudspeakers must be in compliance with the orders of Calcutta High Court and the state pollution control board.
- Use of loudspeakers and honking in the vicinity of silence zones like hospitals, courts and educational institutions are prohibited.
- Fireworks cannot be lit.
- Participants shall not carry lathis, spears, firearms, swords or other articles that can be used as weapon.
- Speeches that can incite violence are not allowed.
- Traffic cannot be obstructed.
- Prior NOCs have to be obtained from other utility services and landowners.
- The ground and its adjoining area, if any, should be kept clean. No food/tea cups/ coconut shells/food packets should be left behind. No banned plastic items should be used.
- No car should be parked in no-parking zones.
- Bike rallies are not allowed.
- No DJ sets are allowed.
