Ensure normalcy during 'hartal', Kerala HC tells Govt

Kochi, Feb 18 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the state government to ensure that normal life was not paralysed during the state-wide 'hartal' called by the Opposition UDF to protest the price rise, tomorrow.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Mr Justice K M Joseph reiterated an earlier full bench direction to the state government to take adequate measures to protect normal life of the citizens on 'hartal' days.

It also reiterated that persons or organisations calling the 'hartal' should not force the people to participate in the closure.

Advocate General C P Sudhakar Prasad, appearing for the state government, informed the bench that all effective and adequate measures would be taken to ensure that normal life remained unaffected.

The court was hearing an interim application filed by Kochi-based 'Anti-Hartal Campaign Committee', seeking a direction to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to withdraw the 'hartal' call.

UNI XR ARC SJ SK RK1715