Kerala Govt to evolve political consensus on hartals

Kochi, Jul 24 (UNI) The Kerala Government today filed an affidavit in the High Court stating that it was attempting to forge a political consensus to tackle the problems during 'hartals'in the State.

The affidavit, filed by Mr K J Mathew, Additional Home Secretary, said a meeting called by the State Home Minister on May four to discuss the issue had stressed the need for proactive support from the people, media and social organisations to strengthen the hands of police and government in dealing with hartals.

Suppport and cooperation of all sections was required to ensure that there was no destruction of public property during 'hartals', it added.

The affidavit said safeguards adopted by the authorities during the hartal called by the BJP on July three in the Amarnath issue was successful.

The affidavit was filed in response to a petition by an NGO, Proper Channel, against hartals.

UNI XR ARC SY AS1858