The Punjab Disturbed Areas Act, 1983

(1) This Act may be called The Punjab Disturbed AreasAct, 1983. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Punjab. (3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 7th day of October, 1983.

In this Act, "disturbed area" means an area which is for the time being declared bynotification under section 3 to be a disturbed area.

The State Government may, by notification inthe Official Gazette, declare that the whole or any part of any district of Punjab as may be specified in thenotification, is a disturbed area.

Any Magistrate or Police Officer notbelow the rank of Sub-Inspector or Havildar in case of the Armed Branch of the Police may, if he is ofopinion that it is necessary so to do for the maintenance of public order, after giving such due warning, ashe may consider necessary, fire upon, or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, against anyperson who is acting in contravention of any law or order for the time being in force in the disturbed area,prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons or the carrying of weapons or of things capable of beingused as weapons or of fire-arms, ammunition or explosive substances.

Any Magistrate or Police Officer notbelow the rank of a Sub-Inspector may, if he is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do, destroy anyarms dump, prepared or fortified position or shelter from which armed attacks arc made or are likely to bemade or are attempted to be made or any structure used as training camp for armed volunteers or utilizedas a hide-out by armed gangs or absconders wanted for any offence.