Road blockade during CPM conference: High Court seeks explanation from DGP, leaders who participated in conference likely to be named accused

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has sought an explanation from the state police chief regarding the incident in which traffic was disrupted for hours in Vanchiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram after a stage was erected in the middle of the road in connection with the CPM Palayam Area Conference. The court also directed the Vanchiyoor SHO to submit the names and details of those who were on the stage during the conference. The reports should be submitted on Monday.

The division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice S Muraleekrishna asked why cases were not filed against the leaders and those responsible for the traffic disruption and why the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which has the authority to remove obstructions without notice, failed to act. The court also criticised the action of filing a case only against the microphone operator.

The party conference was held on December 5, blocking one side of the Vanchiyoor-Uppidamoodu road. The High Court examined media reports and visuals related to the incident. The obstruction caused traffic jams, trapping school vehicles, a car carrying a newborn, and vehicles taking patients to the district hospital. The stage was erected on the zebra line on the road in front of the district court. The court pointed out that various legal violations, including breach of trust, had occurred. The court is considering a contempt of court petition filed by Maradu native N Prakash, naming CPM state secretary MV Govindan, DGP, and others as the opposing parties.

The SHO informed the court that although the meeting's general convener, P. Babu, was directed to remove the pandal and chairs, the party leaders did not follow the directive. The court questioned, "Aren’t you the same people who would dismantle a small tea shop set up by an ordinary person on the roadside?" The court pointed out that the Corporation Secretary also had the authority to act in this situation. The division bench noted that the incident constituted a violation of both court orders and government directives.

Action on Secretariat protest
The High Court may also take suo motu action regarding the day-and-night protest organized by the CPI-affiliated Joint Council of Government Employees in front of the Secretariat. The court observed that the protest was staged by occupying the footpath and a part of the road. The court has sought an explanation in this matter.