¹[17A. Power to notify and take possession of places used for the purposes of an unlawful association.—(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, notify any place which in its opinion is used for the purposes of an unlawful association.
     Explanation.—For the purposes of this section "place" includes a house or building, or part thereof or a tent or vessel.
     (2) The District Magistrate or in a presidency-town the Commissioner of Police, or any officer authorised in this behalf in writing by the District Magistrate or Commissioner of Police, as the case may be, may thereupon take possession of the notified place and evict therefrom any person found therein, and shall forthwith make a report of the taking possession to the State Government:
     Provided that where such place contains any apartment occupied by women or children, reasonable time and facilities shall be afforded for their withdrawal with the least possible inconvenience.
     (3) A notified place whereof possession is taken under sub-section (2) shall be deemed to remain in the possession of Government so long as the notification under sub-section (1) in respect thereof remains in force.