Police in Gautam Buddh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday invoked restrictions on public assembly under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), ordering that no unpermitted religious activity, such as namaz, puja or processions, would be carried out at public places and roads across Noida and Greater Noida. In unavoidable situations, permission for holding such activities would have to be taken from the commissioner of police or the additional commissioner of police or the deputy commissioners of police concerned of the three zones of the district, according to the order.

The restrictions under CrPC section 144 would be effective from July 20 and would remain in force till August 3 for a period of 15 days, according to the order issued by Additional DCP (law and order) Hirdesh Katheriya. The restrictions have been invoked in view of the upcoming Muharram, a sports event that will have participants from foreign countries, a farmers' protest and competitive examinations in the district during the period, the police said.