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YPS chowk protest: Blocking roads is no solution, says HC
Punjab told the court that blockade on the Airport Road has been removed. It underlined that the protesters have “deep roots at the grassroots level in Punjab and any harsh decision may lead to law and order problem in the state”
Expressing its concern over frequent road blocks by protesters, the Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday said that obstructing roads was not a solution. “There are other ways to peacefully put forth the demands…,” the high court remarked while hearing a plea by an NGO seeking removal of protesters from YPS chowk in Mohali, which is going on since January 7.
The bench of Justice AG Masih and Justice Sanjiv Berry posted the matter for further hearing on April 11, seeking fresh affidavit from Punjab and a response from UT.
During the hearing, the bench itself said that it was a sensitive issue.
Earlier, the counsel from UT told the court that after the February 8 violence wherein Chandigarh cops were attacked by protesters, no untoward incident has been reported.
The area has been barricaded and prohibitory orders have been promulgated, UT’s counsel told the court.
Meanwhile, Punjab told the court that blockade on the Airport Road has been removed. It underlined that the protesters have “deep roots at the grassroots level in Punjab and any harsh decision may lead to law and order problem in the state”.
Seeking “reasonable time” from the high court to get the site vacated, the Mohali police told the court that the blockade between Mohali and Chandigarh is at one point only and other roads are open. It also gave details of talks held by Chandigarh and Mohali police with the protesters from time to time.
The plea filed by NGO ArriveSAFE on March 10 has contended that residents and commuters were facing unnecessary harassment because of the protest.
The stir, which started on January 7, is being held under the banner of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha demanding release of Sikh prisoners. On February 8, the protest had turned violent and left 33 police personnel injured.
