HC admits writ petition seeking clearance of NH 2 blockade

Kolkata, Aug 29 (UNI) Calcutta High Court today admitted a writ petition, seeking an order to clear the blockade on National Highway two following the indefinite dharna launched by the Trinamool Congress, which led to over 25,000 vehicles being stranded on the road for the past six days.

The petition was filed by Rana Pratap Sarkar, who claimed to be a member of the West Bengal Truck Owners Association.

In his petition, Mr Sarkar said the blockade on NH two, caused by the dharna to demand return of 400 acres land to the farmers, was resulting in misery for the truck drivers as well as other people.

Perishable goods, including fruits, vegetables and fish, were rotting, resulting in a scarcity in the markets across the state, which had already pushed up prices.

He said emergency services, including ambulances, were also getting disrupted due to the blockade.

Mr Sarkar said there were provisions in the Constitution to take steps against such blockade.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Surinder Singh Nijjar and Justice Dipankar Dutta, directed the petitioner to file an affidavit describing his social standing and why he moved such a suit.

The petition will come up for further hearing next week.

The Durgapur Expressway on National Highway two remained blocked since the past six days following the launching of an indefinite satyagraha by Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee to demand return of the 400 acres land ''forcibly acquired from the unwilling farmers''.

Thousands of vehicles carrying goods remained stranded on Delhi Road, which was the only alternative to the arterial road connecting Kolkata to Burdwan, Birbhum and Bankura districts.

UNI XC DPM KLC1342