Section 8

In any proclaimed area the Commissioner of Police or an officer in charge of a division may by order exclude all persons or any class of persons from any area in the division or divisions under his charge or from any place or building therein and may require any person who is in such area or place or building to comply with such directions for regulating his movement and conduct as the Commissioner of Police or the officer in charge of a division may give.

Any police officer may search any person entering, or seeking to enter, or being in, such area, place or building, in respect of which an order under subsection (1) is for the time being in force and may detain that person for the purpose of searching him:Provided that no woman shall be searched under this subsection except by a woman.

If any person while in an area, place or building in respect of which an order under subsection (1) is for the time being in force fails to comply with the order or with any direction given thereunder then, without prejudice to any proceedings which may be taken against him, he may be removed from that area, place or building by a police officer.

The powers conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised by any police officer not below the rank of sergeant authorised in writing in that behalf by the Commissioner of Police or the officer in charge of a division.

The Minister may make an order and may vary or cancel any order made by a police officer in exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (1).