Bhopal Police has prohibited demonstrations, sit-ins, strikes and other protest-related activities at Roshanpura Square and Polytechnic Square, along with the adjoining designated areas, for two months, ANI reported on Wednesday, October 21.

According to orders issued by the Commissioner of Police (Bhopal), Sanjay Kumar, on October 19 under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the restrictions were imposed in view of repeated requests by political parties, organisations, committees and other groups to hold demonstrations, protests and sit-ins at these locations.

Why these two squares

In its order concerning Roshanpura Square, the police stated that the intersection sits on a major route in the city, with important establishments and institutions — including Raj Bhavan, the airport route, Hamidia Hospital and Gandhi Medical College — in the surrounding area. Gatherings there could obstruct traffic and create difficulties for the movement of ambulances and other emergency services, the order noted.

For Polytechnic Square, the police said the intersection is the only route connecting key locations, including the airport, Hamidia Hospital and Gandhi Medical College, that alternative routes are limited, and that protests there could disrupt traffic, delay emergency services and inconvenience the public.

The orders explicitly prohibit strikes, sit-in protests, demonstrations, processions and the burning of effigies at the specified locations during the two-month restriction period. The police said the restrictions were imposed to prevent traffic congestion and obstruction to public movement, to keep emergency services including ambulances moving, and to maintain public order. The prohibitory orders will remain in force for two months from the date of issuance.