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Protests fuel resentment among public, traders Law & order

The spurt in the number of various forms of agitation held by political parties, trade unions and organisations in the recent days has created resentment among traders, commuters and the general public here.

Last month’s sudden declaration of bandh, which caused immense hardship to the public, following the attack on the car of a senior political leader in the Union Territory had brought in a lot of disgust towards public protest, particularly those organised without giving notice. So much was the disillusionment, trader’s organisations in the town immediately after the bandh convened a protest meeting. They also decided to approach the court if such incidents recurred.

A leader of the political party himself expressed regret on the decision to organise the bandh. A senior functionary of the party admitted to the media that the decision to call the bandh was a mistake and they could have organised a protest fast instead. Over the last a few years, the number of agitations such as processions, demonstrations, bandhs, picketing and road roko had gone up, causing inconvenience to the public.

The number of processions and demonstrations had increased to 624 in 2007 from 421 reported in 2003. Likewise, the number of bandhs had increased to 18 in 2007 from 12 in 2003.

The number of road roko and picketing reported in 2003 was only 63 when compared to last year’s figure of 158. Even there were several instances when prohibitory orders were violated by political parties and other outfits by holding protest demonstrations and road roko. Police had registered more than 100 cases during last year for violating prohibitory orders. “Any form of agitation is the democratic right of the citizen to highlight grievances. But sudden bandh, picketing and road roko would only cause ill will among public,” C. H Balamohan, honorary president, Confederation of Government Employees Association in Puducherry, said.

People’s Pulse, a newly floated organisation, had recommended to Police Department to road roko and picketing.

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