Power of search by any police officer

Any Police Officer or any person authorised by the State Government in this behalf may search any person entering or seeking to enter, or being on or in, or leaving a protected place or protected area, as the case may be, and any vehicle, vessel, animal or article brought in by such person, and may, for the purpose of the search, detain such person, vehicle, vessel, animal or article: Provided that no women shall be searched in pursuance of this section except by a women, and that such search shall be made with due regard to decency.