Keralites stuck at Kerala-TN border should be allowed to cross if they have a pass: HC
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kochi: 11.05.2020
In a hearing conducted through videoconferencing on Sunday, the high court directed that Keralites stuck at Kerala-Tamil Nadu border at Walayar since Saturday should be allowed to cross if they have obtained passes from Tamil Nadu. The court also directed the government to provide basic facilities to those reaching the various entry points to the state.
A division bench comprising Justices Shaji P Chaly and M R Anitha considered a public interest litigation filed by Harish Vasudevan through senior advocate George Poonthottam. During the hearing, advocate Mohammed Shah, who represented the Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru units of All India KMCC, sought a directive to ensure proper coordination between Kerala and TN governments.
Advocate Sajal P E sought the court’s intervention on 13 Malayali students stranded at the Malahalla entry point, which is a forest area.
While making clear that its directive regarding those stranded at Walayar shouldn’t be treated as a precedent, the court ordered, “Accordingly we direct the respondents, who are the state and its officials, to take urgent immediate steps to facilitate the persons stranded at Walayar on May 9 to cross the state border by issuing necessary passes.”
“However, we make it clear that all those persons who are crossing the border in accordance with the passes so issued shall strictly adhere to the order and guidelines specified above and any other orders issued by the state government to deal with the situations day by day.” Immediate attention and preference should be given to pregnant women, the aged, and children, the court directed.
Others stranded at Walayar also should be issued passes at the earliest, avoiding unnecessary delay as they are stranded since Saturday, the order said.
Regarding the other demands, the court said, “We direct the state government to ensure that basic facilities are provided to the persons reaching the entry points as is stated in the guidelines specified above and any violations of the same would be viewed by this court strictly.”
Full report on www.toi.in
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