Ahmedabad, May 4: Singing and mimicry are among the list of things banned by the Gujarat police in Ahmedabad for a 14-day period between May 7 to May 21. The ban has been imposed as a routine "law and order" measure, and the notification effecting the ban was issued by Ahmedabad police on May 2. Among the stated objectives for the ban, is to prevent activities which may result in "stoppling the state".

City police commissioner A K Singh, while speaking to reporters, said the ban is a regular law and order exercise and should be viewed only in the said context. On being asked why singing and mimicry has been barred, the top cop said these activities were temporarily barred earlier as well. DG Vanzara, NK Amin Discharged by Special CBI Court in Ishrat Jahan 'Fake' Encounter Case

"This allows us to control activities in public domain in the nature of any agitation or protest," Singh told The Indian Express, citing the example of a political event where cadres affiliated to a party raise objectionable slogans. In such situations, he added, the ruling comes into force.

The main thrust of the notification is to control unruly agitations, claim activists, while calling some of its provisions as detrimental to the functioning of a robust democracy.

Apart from singing and mimicry, the ban includes a prohibition on carrying firearms, swords, stones, knives longer than six inches, explosives, stones, daggers and sticks. Carrying torchlights, placards, burning effigies and delivering "stylish speeches" have also been barred.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 04, 2019 06:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).