Notice to govt on PIL for free traffic flow

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 21

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today put Haryana on notice on a petition seeking free flow of traffic on the national and state highways; and action against the quota agitators. Dharnas were going on all over the state, but the government and its functionaries were not taking preventive measures to maintain law and order situation, the court was told.

For reinforcing his demand, petitioner advocate Arvind Seth referred to the February, 2016, agitation, saying that the official respondents had then “miserably failed to ensure smooth running of traffic”.

In his plea before the Bench of Justice SS Saron and Justice Hari Pal Verma, Seth added thousands of commuters on national and state highways were not allowed to ply vehicles due to blockage of roads by agitators.

Seth added “many” people died, apart from serious damage to government and other properties, during the previous agitations. People were compelled to purchase air tickets at exorbitant rates. The State Human Rights Commission had taken suo motu cognisance and issued notice to airlines companies.

The public at large would be put top inconvenience if the agitation turns violent. As such, the respondents were required to ensure the adoption of “all steps” to prevent violence, inconvenience and damage to public and government property during the agitations.

Referring to Article 19 of the Constitution, Seth said it provided certain rights of the citizens, including freedom of speech and expression. “Under Article 19(d), there is a fundamental right to move freely throughout the territory of India. Therefore, fundamental right of free movement in any part of the India of the citizens should not be affected due to blockage of the national highways/state highways and railway tracks by the agitators”.

The case will now comeup for further hearingon March 15.