A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday adjourned to February 28 the hearing on a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against the leader of the ASHA Health Workers Association and the UDF, including Ramesh Chennithala and K.K. Rema, for holding the ongoing agitation on the road and footpath in front of the Secretariat..
Meanwhile, Kiran Narayanan, former Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner, in an additional affidavit, informed the Bench that steps had been taken to make people aware of the importance of right of way on footpaths and public roads.
Temple committees and office-bearers of various clubs were sensitised on the issue. Steps were also taken to sensitise police officers on the need for strict implementation of IRC guidelines and High Court directives.
Besides, steps were on to set up a citizen portal/information centre to inform the police about constructions of stage or pandals on roads and footpaths. Local bodies were being asked to designate places for public programmes .
He also undertook that he would be more cautious to see that the orders of the High Court were compiled with in letter and spirit.
The additional affidavit was filed in response to a directive of the court to explain the steps taken to ensure that roads and footpaths were not obstructed. The directive was issued when a contempt of court case filed by N. Prakashan against the police, CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan, and other leaders for putting up a stage on the road in Thiruvananthapuram for holding a local party meeting came up for hearing.
Published – February 26, 2025 09:08 am IST