AIPWA activists stage protest in ‘no-demonstration’ zone
LUCKNOW: Despite the district administration shortlisting Kanshi Ram Memorial and Laxman Mela ground as two designated dharna sthals in the city and imposing Section 144 around Vidhan Bhawan, some women activists on Thursday staged a dharna at the busy Hazratganj crossing which is a no demonstration zone.
The protest began around 11am when some activists associated with the All-India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) gathered to raise their voice against the Unnao rape controversy. “We are here to make our voice heard to the government that seems least interested in taking action against the accused MLA,” said Meena, district coordinator, AIPWA.
Some cops were also seen showing the government order copy (no demonstration zone) to the protestors, who paid least attention to it. However, after much persuasion the demonstrators left the spot.
To recall, the area around Vidhan Bhawan has already been declared as a ‘no demonstration
We are here to make our voice heard to the government that seems least interested in taking action against the accused MLA.
MEENA, district coordinator, AIPWA
zone’. In 2016, the then DM issued a reminder to police and administrative officers to ensure effective enforcement of Section 144 near Vidhan Bhawan and take legal action against demonstrators.
At that time, the administration registered four cases against protestors for staging illegal demonstrations on the stretch from Vidhan Sabha to Hazratganj crossing. The administration had also directed 24x7 deployment of one contingency of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and civil police at the location to keep protestors at bay.
The state government has again initiated efforts to check protests on roads after the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court’s directive in this regard.