Tamil Nadu   

Wanted: a venue for demonstrations

LAW &ORDER Search is on to find a suitable place for demonstrations, writes D. Radhakrishnan

BARRED FROM USE: The vacant spot opposite the Collectorate in Udhagamandalam, which has for long been used to stage demonstrations. - Photo: D. Radhakrishnan

WITH THE number of demonstrations in this hill station increasing considerably, the local police find themselves in an unenviable position. The reason being that, while the majority of the organisations insist on staging their demonstrations along Commissioner's Road near the Collectorate, the usual `demonstration spot' has recently been made out of bounds for such activities on the grounds that it was private property. As the police turned down requests for organising demonstrations near the Collectorate by citing the objection, a couple of demonstrations were organised on a vacant spot nearby on Spencer's Road.

However, that too was cordoned off by people stated to be representatives of the owner. Consequently, the police are at their wits' end.

The development had become a major source of concern not only to the police but also to the district administration, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, S. Munusu, told The Hindu here on Thursday. For many years it had been taken for granted that protests near the Collectorate would only take place at the `demonstration spot'. Now, without the permission of those claiming to be in-charge of the private property, demonstrations could not be staged there. On Thursday a huge rally had been permitted there only after the organisers produced a written authorisation from those looking after it.

He said alternative places were not available near the Collectorate as the district court, the telephone exchange, the head post office, the G-1 police station and the State Bank of India were located in the vicinity. If Spencer's Road was blocked there would be utter chaos. Adding to the woes of the department was the acute shortage of personnel. Even managing demonstrations in Independence Square and the Market Post Office had over the years become difficult owing to the increasing congestion on the narrow roads. A search was on for a suitable venue for demonstrations.

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