MP govt directs officials to ensure compliance with HC ban

Bhopal, Dec 7 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government today directed all collectors and police superintendents to ensure strict compliance with the High Court's banning 'chakkajam' (road blockade) in the state.

Justices Deepak Mishra and R K Gupta issued the order on a public interest petition moved by Nagarik Upbhokta Margadarshak Manch President P G Najpande.

In view of the ban, the main opposition Congress announced that it would convert tomorrow's statewide road block agitation -- demanding Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's resignation over the controversial dumper purchase case -- into sit-in demonstrations.

In a wireless message, Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni said, ''The proposed agitation/protest... on 08.12.2007 would not restrict...

the movements of any citizen to any place... The protesters... may agitate... in a... peaceful manner.'' Copies of the message were released to the press.

UNI