Nagpur: With the death almost certain for Mumbai serial blast convict Yakub Memon, Nagpur has been fortified with very heavy security. Particularly the area surrounding Nagpur jail has turned into hyper secured zone. Section 144 has been invoked around 500 metres of the Central jail where Yakub has been kept.
Almost every nook and corner of Nagpur has been laced with vigilante security personnel who are leaving no stone unturned to ensure peace prevails.
The intensity of security situation was also witnessed at VNIT as the Institute is spread up on vast area in the heart of the city. All the students and visitors are being asked to show their ids and register their entry before letting them in.
While speaking to Nagpur Today, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Deepali Masirkar told that there is misleading news that is making its rounds in some of the media circles that curfew has been put into effect over the entire Nagpur city. However, she clarified that Section 144 is in effect only within 500 meters of the Nagpur Central Jail premises to prevent unlawful crowds or enthusiastic and curious gathering in front of the jail.
Section 144 of CrPC
Unlawful assembly is a legal term to describe a group of people with the mutual intent of deliberate disturbance of the peace. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 empowers a magistrate to prohibit an assembly of more than ten people in an area.
DCP Deepali Masirkar told that the roads will be cordoned off for some time till the hanging is taking place and no movement of any private vehicle will be permitted within 500 meters of the Jail premises.
Hanging on schedule
According to the latest information, the close relatives of Yakub Memon have arrived at Nagpur at around 9 pm. However, where they will be staying and other details are kept confidential. The hanging will be held at 7 am. Yakub Memon will be woken up from his last sleep at around 3:30 am. After a bath, he will be given a new prison uniform. He will be allowed to read his religious book Koran. His religious leader will join him in offering his last prayers. He will also be given a breakfast of his choice and then taken for hanging.
Schools to function as scheduled
The district administration has not sent any directives to any school to keep their schools closed. Therefore all the schools will be held as scheduled.
People are also cautioned to beware of various rumours that are making circles in the social media like whatsapp in the city asking the citizens to stay at home since any school or college can become target of extremists. The messages also cautions people to avoid going to market places, malls, banks, airports, railway stations, bus-stands etc since these places can become a target for extremists.
