The Hindu : New Delhi News : CPI(M) for withdrawal of L-G order

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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CPI(M) for withdrawal of L-G order

Staff Reporter

‘It will be a licence for harassment of ordinary citizens in the Capital’

Lakhs of Delhi residents have no identity cards
Order will lead to eviction of the poor from Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Delhi State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday demanded immediate withdrawal of the Lieutenant-Governor’s order making it mandatory for the Capital’s citizens to carry identity proof with them.

Describing the order as a licence for harassment of ordinary citizens, CPI (M) State Committee secretary P. M. S. Grewal said it was reminiscent of a similar reprehensible move mooted by the Bharatiya Janata Party Government in Delhi in 1990s.

Pointing out that lakhs of Delhi residents do not have any identification papers, Mr. Grewal said this was especially true of the poor and those working in the unorganised sector. “Similarly, there are lakhs of people who have no ration or voter identity cards. The Lieutenant-Governor’s diktat will be used to bolster the ongoing process of eviction of the poor from Delhi. Those below the poverty line face harassment and extortion at the hands of the police daily. This order further empowers them to continue on this path with impunity.”

Stating that the order implies that no citizen from any other State can enter the Capital without having documents of identification, Mr. Grewal said it also provides for verification of driving licences and testing of roadworthiness of motorists coming from outside Delhi. “These provisions are most objectionable and amount to arrogation of illegal and wanton authority by the Lieutenant-Governor. The kind of confusion that would result from retaliation by other States can well be imagined.”

Describing the Lieutenant-Governor’s plea that checking of identity cards would help in preventing entry of terrorists into the city as laughable, Mr. Grewal said: “Since when have identity cards prevented occurrence of terrorist acts?

The CPI (M) reiterates its strong opposition to this draconian order of the Lieutenant-Governor and demands its immediate withdrawal. It appeals to the people to oppose this anti-people measure and force its withdrawal.”

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