Thiruvananthapuram: A legislation to restrict procession and meetings on public roads was introduced in the Kerala Assembly to overcome a recent apex court ruling confirming Kerala High Court order prohibiting meetings on
public roads.
Bill titled Kerala Public Ways (Restriction of assemblies and
Processions)Bill-2011` stated that the prohibitory orders
might affect the conduct of religious functions like Attukal
Ponkala, Thrissur Pooram which would in turn invite protests
from public.
Therefore it has become necessary to make a legislation to
enable the government to impose reasonable restrictions on the
right of public on roads, the Bill said.
The Bill introduced by the State Home Minister Kodiyeri
Balakrishnan was referred to Assembly Subject Committee,
without a debate.
The Bill was brought urgently in view of the famous Attukal
Pokala here, where lakhs of people from all parts of state
participate, falls on February 19.
Seconding the legislation, Opposition leader Oommen Chandy
said the house had already arrived at a consensus on the Bill.
PTI
