Ranchi district administration has decided to enforce prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC to ban the assembly of more than five persons, processions, demonstrations and the like from 5am to 10 pm on Friday in the wake of a nationwide bandh call issued by an umbrella outfit of farmers against the Centre's enactment of contentious farm laws.

Deputy commissioner Chhavi Ranjan said on Thursday that the administration could not risk a congregation in the district in name of the bandh due to a spike in Covid-19 cases. He appealed to protestors to abide by the regulations or face action.

In a statement, Ranjan said, “Several outfits from the city and state have extended their support to the nationwide bandh tomorrow (Friday). But in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the district administration has decided to enforce prohibitory orders to prevent a spike in cases or a law and order situation.”

The bandh has been called by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM).

As per the orders, except government workers on duty, assembling of five or more persons at any place isn't allowed.

“If anyone wishes to stage peaceful and democratic demonstrations, we have identified a ground in Pundag where one can do so in compliance with Ccovid norms and disperse after submitting a memorandum to the appointed magistrate. This apart, prohibitory orders will remain in force in the entire district,” he said.

Several trade unions and outfits backed by Left parties took out a torchlight procession from Ranchi University to Albert Ekka Chowk, a distance of 500m on Thursday night in support of Friday's bandh from morning till noon.

The convener of Jharkhand Rajya Kisan Sangarsh Samanvaya Samiti, Sufal Mahto said, “We will take out processions in rural areas of Ranchi against the Centre’s farm laws.”