Insertion of new section 21A

Insertion of new section 21A.-In the Kerala Police Act, 1969 (5 of 1961) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), after section 21, the following section shall be inserted, namely:- “21A . Power to prohibit mass drill, mass training, etc.,-

1. (1) The District Magistrate may, whenever he considers it necessary so to do for the preservation of the public peace or public safety or for the maintenance of public order, by public notice or by order directed to individuals, prohibit, in any area within his jurisdiction, the holding of, or taking part in, any mass drill or mass training with arms or the carrying of arms in any procession. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, “arms” means any type of offensive weapon and includes lathi, dand and stick.
2. (2) No prohibition under this section shall remain in force for more than three months: Provided that if the Government consider it necessary so to do for the preservation of public peace or public safety or for the maintenance of public order, they may, by notification in the Gazette, direct that a public notice of order issued by a District Magistrate under this section shall remain in force for such further period not exceeding six months from the date on which such notice or order would have, but for such order, expired, as they may specify in the said notification.”.