MLC Elections: Prohibitory Orders In City, Bars Shut

M Mahendar Reddy, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, has ordered that all the IMFL and wine / toddy shops, and bars attached to restaurants and the military canteen situated within the limits of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad remain closed from 6 pm on March 7 to 6 pm on March 9 for the upcoming Telangana MLC elections (teachers' constituencies), and also from 6 am on March 20, the day of counting, till the completion of counting in the interest of public peace and tranquility.

Elections to the Telangana Legislative Council (teachers' constituencies) are scheduled to be held in Hyderabad and Secunderabad on March 9.

After reviewing the situation carefully, the police have also prohibited the following, from 5 pm on March 8 to 6 am on March 10:

1. Assembly of persons and any kind of processions
2. Carrying of sticks either with or without flags, lathis, firearms, or any other weapons which can be used as weapons for offence or defence by persons in processions, big gatherings or meetings
3. Erection of temporary structures like shamianas, pandals, khannath etc., on thoroughfares, public places and all other places where the public throng
4. Use of mikes/public address system by anybody or parties
5. Music, singing, speeches or broadcasting through speakers or any other instruments
6. Making a speech, gesture or mimetic representation
7. Exhibition or dissemination of pictures, symbols, placards or any other items which are likely to create religious animosity or hatred between different communities or individuals or to bring about commission of an offence or disturbance or contempt of the law or of a lawful authority

Some of these are prohibited within a radius of 1 km from the polling stations, and some across the city

Exemptions are made for police Officers on duty, military / para-military personnel on duty, home guards on duty and election officers on duty.

Any person violating the above order will be liable for prosecution.