The Hindu : Kerala News : Hartals: all-party meet to be convened

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Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Hartals: all-party meet to be convened

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 8. The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, told the Assembly today that he would convene an all-party meeting to discuss ways to ensure that public protests such as hartals do not infringe on individual freedom.

Responding to a calling-attention motion by M.M. Hassan (Congress), the Chief Minister said that though the Government does not propose to curtail the freedom to protest in any way, it could not shirk its responsibility to ensure that such protests do not infringe on the rights of others to carry on their vocations and move freely.

Mr. Chandy conceded that demonstrations in front of the Secretariat were a hindrance to the freedom of movement of people and said the Government would try to evolve a consensus on ways to tackle the situation. On destruction of public property by agitators, he said the Government had instructed the officials concerned to initiate action under civil laws to claim damages from those who indulge in such activities. This has been done on instructions from the High Court, he said and added that as things stand now, action was being taken only under criminal laws, he pointed out.

The Chief Minister said the Government would consult political parties on how to curb destruction of private property as part of agitations.

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