Omicron spread: Section 144 imposed in Mumbai over the weekend

In light of the rising Omicron cases in the state, the Mumbai Police has clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), banning the assembly of five or more till Sunday. This includes protests, marches or rallies by people or vehicles. The orders came into effect from Friday midnight and shall be in force till Sunday midnight. Those violating the order shall attract strict action under the Indian Penal Code Sec 188 and other legal provisions.

"The order has been issued to prevent danger to human life from Omicron, new variant of Covid-19, as well as a threat to the law and order situation against the backdrop of the violence that took place in Amravati, Malegaon (Nashik) and Nanded," said the notification.

The orders also disrupted the Tiranga rally called upon by the All India Majlis-e- Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Saturday. The vehicle rally, led by AIMIM SP Syed Imtiaz Jaleel, was to press for pending demands of the Muslim community, including reservations and other issues. However, owing to the newly imposed restrictions, the Mumbai Police did not give permission for the rally.

With seven new patients detected on Friday, the number of Omicron cases has gone up to 17 in Maharashtra. Of the seven new patients, three were found positive in Mumbai, with recent travel history from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Tanzania.