Tamil Nadu   

Cuddalore police get tough with agitators

Special Correspondent

Protests, road rokos banned at important junctions

The police have put up a board in front of the head post office in Cuddalore, announcing a ban on agitations. — Photo: T.Singaravelou

CUDDALORE: The Cuddalore district police have come down on those who stage road rokos. They have also banned agitations, demonstrations and dharnas at important road junctions and public places.

The police secured 200 residents, including women, of Kalaiyur, who squatted on Manjakuppam road demanding flood relief on Monday. With the ban on road rokos already in force in the State, the Cuddalore police do not want to create an impression that they are lenient to the agitators. Ever since the State Government has announced the flood relief package, road rokos have almost become a daily occurrence in Cuddalore and other areas.

According to one count, the number of road rokos has exceeded 120 in the past one-and-half months. Officials and the police have shown restraint while dealing with them on "sympathetic grounds."

As the situation seems to be running out of control, the police have decided to deal firmly with it and slapped a blanket ban on road rokos. The police say since road blockades cause public inconvenience, they could not be allowed.

Notice boards

The police have put up notice boards at important junctions (the recent one has come up in front of the head post office) that no public gathering will be allowed.

Superintendent of Police S. Panneer Selvam told The Hindu that the police would invoke Sections 151 and 188 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 71 (a) of the Criminal Law Amendment (unlawful assembly, and gathering with an idea of disturbing public peace) against those who stage road rokos.

Those who are thus booked will get no less than one-year jail term.

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