SC pulls up govt for inaction against bandhs Source: Financial Express Posted online: Friday , July 04, 2008 at 2129 hrs
New Delhi, Jul 3The Supreme Court on Thursday upbraided the government for showing helplessness in acting against those holding the country to "ransom". The apex court's observations were not related to the BJP-sponsored countrywide bandh but came during a hearing on a petition relating to the recent blockade of a national highway in West Bengal by agitators demanding a separate Gorkhaland. The entire life comes to standstill. Movement of medicine, fuel and everything gets affected and the state expresses its helplessness. This cannot be allowed, a Bench headed by Justice Altamas Kabir said. The Bench, which was hearing the petitions relating to the recent blockade of National Highway 31A, was surprised that in such type of crisis the authorities were shirking from their responsibility and leaving it to the judiciary to handle the situation. The highway, which is the lone road linking Sikkim to the rest of the world, was blocked by agitators. The court also took the opportunity to sarcastically suggest how courts are often accused of interference and judicial overreach when they pass orders on matters of public importance which the state is obliged to do by itself. -PTI ----- Original Message ---- From: Shantikam Hazarika <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, 29 June, 2008 10:31:43 AM Subject: [asom] Assam bandh culture This has been a case like the weather where everyone talks about it and no one does anything about it. I remember a few years ago we tried to form a forum in Guwahati presided over by Shri Nagen Saikia to oppose Bandhs. The thing is some one must give the time and thought to press it forward. No one come forward to do it, all those who give advise and sermons against Bandhs are not willing to go beyond that. Regarding statistics, NEDFi did a study long ago that was also published widely. A few months ago Prantik had an article where all the Bandhs in the last year were listed. Yet we still want someone to compile statistics. The Gauhati High Court is sleeping on the petition on the bandh and refused to give an interim stay order that could have done wonders. Recently a very crucial meeting on NEPIF had to be abandoned due to a bandh and that has pushed back NEPIF work by TWO MONTHS since most of the NEPIF people now have immediate priorities which would desist them from devoting more time for NEPIF (it is after all voluntary work). Thus a group of youths would suffer. I doubt we shall be able to stop bandhs since people welcome bandhs. Let us see how we can continue in spite of bandhs. Shantikam Hazarika
