The Hindu : Kerala News : Protestors bringing capital to a standstill

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Saturday, Dec 22, 2007
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Kerala

Protestors bringing capital to a standstill

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: Traffic snarls have become a regular feature on the arterial M.G. Road in the city, chiefly because of protest marches.

Traffic was thrown out of gear for several hours on most days this week owing to a spate of demonstrations in front of the Government Secretariat, including one which became a street battle between protestors and the police on Tuesday.

For the past one week, the police have been handling five demonstrations a day on an average in the city.

The police say their resources are stretched thin when there are simultaneous marches to the Raj Bhavan, the Government Secretariat or the residences of Ministers.

A considerable chunk of the city police constabulary has been deployed at the Sabarimala Hill shrine. Those deployed for policing the Gujurat elections are yet to report back for duty.

According to resident association office bearers, citizens are finding it increasingly difficult to access hospitals, educational institutions, government offices and commercial establishments during day time.

Protests often force the police to divert vehicles, particularly public transport buses, off the main road, forcing commuters to wait for hours at bus stops. Ideally, political parties should ensure that protests cause minimum inconvenience to ordinary citizens. Demonstrations should be organised in such a manner that they do not impede vehicular or pedestrian movement.

Notice

The law requires protestors to give adequate notice (minimum three days) to the police about the ‘time, manner and place’ of the demonstrations they are planning to hold.

The High Court directions in this regard insist that demonstrators should move in single file, preferably on the left side of the road, without impeding pedestrian or vehicular movement.

However, police officials say these norms are observed more in the breach. The van guard of most demonstrations cover the entire width of the carriageway. Some protestors do not allow pedestrians to even cross the road.

Demonstrators often use portable public address systems without police permission.

Protests have caused business to be low on most days at commercial establishments in Palayam and Statue.

Agitations also affect public service delivery at key government offices, with certain sections of staff pleading inability to arrive on time because of traffic jams.

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