High Court dismisses PIL against hartal, says government will ensure that no untoward incidents will occur

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed the petition filed against the hartal in Kerala on Monday called by LDF and UDF in support of the nationwide farmers' protest. The petition was filed by a Sasthamkotta native seeking to declare hartal as illegal.
A bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly dismissed the plea after the state government said it will ensure that no untoward incidents will occur due to the strike.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, spearheading the anti-farm agitation has announced "Bharat Bandh" on September 27 aiming at further strengthening and expanding the farmers' agitation which began in November last year and the LDF in Kerala will observe a state-wide hartal on the same day in solidarity with it.

This was announced by LDF convenor and CPI(M) acting secretary A Vijayaraghavan after a meeting of the leaders of the ruling party alliance on Thursday.

The state government on Friday also informed the High Court that it will ensure necessary arrangements for those who would like to work on September 27.

The state government also said that it will ensure protection for those who are not participating in the strike.

Talking to reporters, Vijayaraghavan had said that five lakh people will participate in the protest in the state against the central government's anti-farmer policy.

Over 100 organisations including motor transport workers, bank employees and farmers organisations have extended their support to the LDF agitation.

The protesting farmers have been demanding the repeal of the laws, which they are afraid will do away with the MSP system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporations.