KSRHC asks Ker govt to ban agitations in periphery of

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission today directed the government to take steps to ban agitations in the periphery of the Secretariat, the administrative hub located in the heart of the city.

The main road and adjacent pathways in front of the Secretariat have been a major venue of various modes of agitation in the capital city for many years.

The Commission directed the Chief Secretary to allot an exclusive space off the city limits for political parties and other outfits to stage protest demonstrations, dharnas and siege over issues.

The Commission member, P Mohandas issued the directive on a complaint by Poovachal Sadasivan, national president, Journalist Pensioners Association of India.

A report submitted by state Police Chief Loknath Behara also admitted that protest demonstrations used to be held in the periphery of the Secretariat, violating a High Court verdict in this regard, a Commission statement said here.

Though political parties and other outfits have the right to stage protest, it should not be an infringement into the rights of public, it said.

The Commission was also of the view that frequent strikes and agitations after closing roads amounted to curtailing the fundamental rights of passers-by and those travelling in vehicles.