Nawanshahr:- District Magistrate Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, exercising his powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, has issued orders imposing a complete ban on any union or organization blocking traffic on roads or intersections within the district.
The orders state that frequent protest demonstrations by various organizations on main roads have caused significant inconvenience to commuters traveling between Chandigarh, Jalandhar, and Amritsar. Specifically, emergency vehicles such as ambulances often get stuck in traffic jams, posing a risk to patients.
To address this, the District Magistrate has designated specific locations for protests in the three sub-divisions of the district. No organization or union will be allowed to hold protests at these locations without prior approval from the local administration. The designated sites are:
Sub-Division Nawanshahr: Dussehra Ground, Nawanshahr, and the approximately 40-kanal area near the railway crossing on Banga Road, Nawanshahr (under Municipal Council jurisdiction, Village Gujarpur Kalan).
Sub-Division Banga: Panchayat land in Gram Panchayat Village Punia.
Sub-Division Balachaur: Municipal Sports Ground (near Civil Hospital), Jagatpur Road, Siana.
Even at these designated sites, prior permission from the respective SDM is mandatory, and approval must also be obtained for the use of loudspeakers. The orders strictly prohibit any protests or obstruction of traffic at Chandigarh Chowk, Bus Stand Chowk, and Nehru Gate in Nawanshahr. Furthermore, protests, demonstrations, or the use of loudspeakers are completely banned within Tehsil complexes, SDM complexes, and the District Administrative Complex (DAC).
The District Magistrate warned that holding protests or demonstrations anywhere other than the designated sites will be considered a violation, and strict legal action will be taken against the offenders. These orders will remain in effect until September 4, 2026.