%26nbsp%3B

Section%20144%20of%20the%20Indian%20Code%20of%20Criminal%20Procedure%2C%20enacted%20in%201973%2C%20empowers%20the%20magistrate%20of%20any%20state%20or%20Union%20within%20India%20to%20pass%20an%20order%2C%20prohibiting%20the%20gathering%20of%20four%20or%20more%20number%20of%20people%20in%20a%20specified%20area.

Various%20provisions%20inside%20the%20section%20make%20it%20possible%20for%20the%20police%20to%20book%20all%20the%20members%20of%20any%20such%20assembly%2C%20termed%20during%20the%20time%20as%20an%20%u2018unlawful%20assembly%u2019%2C%20charged%20with%20engagement%20in%20rioting.

The%20section%20is%20usually%20imposed%20in%20regions%20embroiled%20in%20emergency%20situations%2C%20or%20to%20implement%20social%20unrest%20that%20could%20potentially%20lead%20to%20riots.

If%20caught%20carrying%20a%20weapon%20in%20an%20area%20where%20Section%20144%20has%20been%20imposed%2C%20a%20person%20can%20be%20punished%20with%20a%20maximum%20of%20three%20year%20jail-term.%26nbsp%3B