PUBG banned in Ahmedabad, no more chicken dinner

Now, play PUBG in Ahmedabad at your own risk. Close on the heels of Rajkot and some other cities in the state banning the game that has become a rage among youngsters, the Ahmedabad city police also imposed a ban on it.

Ahmedabad police commissioner AK Singh issued a notification on Wednesday placing an immediate ban on PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). MOMO challenge was also banned.

“Keeping in mind public safety and security, and to ensure that law and order situation is maintained, a ban is placed on playing PUBG and Momo challenge in Ahmedabad city police limits,” the notification read.

The notification said that the ban would be in force from March 14 till the midnight of March 28. However, the notification will be extended, Singh told DNA.

Last week, Surat, Rajkot, and Vadodara had placed a ban on the highly popular and addictive PUBG. They were followed by Bhavnagar and Gir Somnath districts. Two days ago, Aravalli district administration also placed a ban on the two games.

“It has been learnt through different mediums that there is a rise in violent tendencies among children and youth because of PUBG game / MOMO challenge. The game affects their studies, and also on their behaviour, and development,” the notification read explaining the reasons for the ban on the two games. The police commissioner appealed citizens to contact the nearest police station in case they came across anyone playing PUBG in Ahmedabad city limits. The notification warned that action would be taken under section 188 of IPC and section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act against anyone found playing the games in violation of the notification.

In January, the state government had banned the online multi-player game in schools. The education department had written to district education officers and directed them to ask schools to counsel children to stay away from PUBG. They were also asked to advise parents to keep an eye on children against the highly addictive game. Education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama had also written to human resource development ministry, and home ministry seeking a permanent ban on it.