ENSURE PROTESTERS DON’ T ENTER PATIALA: HC TO STATE

The Punjab and Haryana high court has said that if unions of farmers had not taken permission to protest in Patiala on September 22, then it would be illegal. The high court division bench of justice AK Mittal and justice Amit Rawal also directed advocate general, Punjab, to apprise the court on Thursday regarding steps taken to ensure that there is no free entry to the Patiala city and measures taken to regulate entry.

The court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) of Patiala resident Mohit Kapoor seeking to protect the life, liberty and property of general public on Friday when a large number farmers have threatened to stage protest.

Senior advocate Puneet Bali argued before court that there are apprehensions of mob indulging in lawlessness and creating a law and order problem. “There could be a Panchkula violence like situation, where the HC had to intervene. Panchkula got saved due to high court’s intervention. Hence, intervention is required in this matter as well,” Bali told court. The matter is now posted for hearing on Thursday morning.

At least seven farmer organisations have called the protest against the government for its failure to honour its debt-waiver promise.

DGPAPPEARS

Taking serious note of submissions, the court summoned DGP Suresh Arora, who appeared in the afternoon and listed out the steps taken to ensure there is no law and order problem.

The government, on its part, told the court that no organisation has so far approached the DC for permission. The bench directed the state to ensure prohibitory orders of not allowing assembly of five or more are complied with strictly.