17.(1) When it shall appear that any unlawful assembly, or riot or disturbance of the peace has taken place or may be reasonably apprehended, or that an offence under the Prevention of Smuggling Act, 1952, has been committed or may be reasonably apprehended, and that the police-force ordinarily employed for preserving the peace or for prevention of an offence under the Prevention of Smuggling Act, 1952, is not sufficient, for preservation of peace and for protection of the inhabitants and security of the property in the place where such unlawful assembly or riot or disturbance of the peace has occurred or is apprehended, or for prevention of such offence, it shall be lawful, for any police-officer not below the rank of an Inspector to apply to the nearest Magistrate and for the District Magistrate or the Sub- divisional Magistrate on his own motion, to appoint so many of the residents of the neighbourhood, as such police-officer may require or the District Magistrate or the Sub-divisional Magistrate may deem proper, to act as special police officers for such time and within such limits as the Magistrate or the District Magistrate or the Sub divisional Magistrate shall deem necessary; and the Magistrate to whom such application is made by the police-officer shall, unless he sees cause to the contrary, comply with the application.(2) The names of the special police-officers appointed under sub-section (1) shall forthwith be forwarded to the District Superintendent.