HC notice to state for maintaining peace on Feb 15

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 12

Three days before the BJP rally, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today put the state on notice on a petition for protecting the life, liberty and property of the public at large, especially in Jind and nearby areas.

Taking up the PIL by Arrive Safe Society through its president Harman Singh Sidhu, the Bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal issued notice to the Union of India, Haryana Director General of Police, Jind Deputy Commissioner, Jind Superintendent of Police, Haryana State Election Commission and the BJP through its state president Subhash Barala.

The case would come up on February 14, a day before the rally. Sidhu contended about 1 lakh motorcycles were expected to participate. He expressed apprehension regarding lawlessness and traffic chaos, besides disregard for public health, morality and peace.

Sidhu added BJP chief Amit Shah was supposed to kick off the party’s 2019 Lok Sabha campaign through the rally, which itself was in violation of guidelines issued by EC.

“It is a trite fact that supporters of political parties violate traffic rules, ride two-wheelers without helmet, drive in wrong direction, jump traffic lights, indulge in triple riding, block traffic and indulge in hooliganism. This sets a bad example to youngsters, encouraging them to violate rules. The chaos and traffic jam adversely affects the travel time of ambulances and other emergency vehicles,” Sidhu added.

The petitioner contended it would be in the interest of the public if the HC deemed fit to direct the state to provide adequate security and force in Jind and nearby areas.