Southern States
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Tamil Nadu
Trial of strength today
By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau
CHENNAI, DEC. 6. Yesterday's partial rollback of prices effected by the State Government has had no impact on the Opposition parties which have stuck to their plans to call a bandh for Friday.
Despite the Chief Minister, Mr. O. Paneerselvam's appeal to the ruling AIADMK's allies to `see reason' and support the Government, none appeared satisfied with the announcements. Even the Tamil Maanila Congress did not budge from its position on the bandh.
A meeting of the leaders of seven trade unions, including those affiliated to the DMK and communist parties, this morning decided to take all steps to ensure the `total success' of the bandh.
The LPF, the CITU, the AITUC and others, in a joint statement, appealed to the people to support the bandh, which was meant to protest the `unjust price hike' announced by the Government.
Meanwhile, the Government, the police and the AIADMK-affiliated Anna Thozhirsanga Peravai (ATP) stepped up efforts to ensure that normal life was not disrupted in the State. For the police, it means a second successive day of extra vigil after today's anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The police have been on high alert since December 1 to prevent any untoward incident on the occasion of the anniversary.
In view of the bandh, the Director-General of Police, Mr. B. P. Nailwal, has announced measures to maintain law and order and ensure normality.
A release from the DGP's office said the entire police force was mobilised. Patrol as well as pickets were being posted from midnight tonight. Security arrangements were made for the smooth operation of trains. ``All Government and private buses will be operated on all routes throughout the State with adequate security''.
Essential services such as milk and water supply and functioning of petrol pumps would be ensured ``through foolproof security arrangements''. Commissioners and Superintendents of Police had been instructed to provide security to schools and colleges and student buses.
Persons indulging in violence, causing damage to property, resorting to forcible closure of shops or establishments and those preventing loyal workers from attending to work would be arrested under specific sections and action initiated to detain persons indulging in arson/violence under the National Security Act, the DGP said.
While many independent unions and associations including those representing government employees, autorickshaw drivers and traders made known their decisions, the State traders associations left to the local units the final decision on closure of shops depending on the situation. The trade was concerned at additional tax levies, particularly the entry tax but it did not want to be seen as taking an anti-government stance.
Even the High Court had something to say on the bandh. Responding to a public interest litigation petition from a lawyer who wanted it declared ``illegal'', the First Bench headed by the Chief Justice, Mr. B. Subhashan Reddi, declined to declare the bandh illegal. Citing a 1998 Supreme Court verdict which declared a bandh illegal, the bench noted ``It is needless to mention that the authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India had to honour the judgment of the Supreme Court''.
The bandh promises to be a trial of strength between the Government and a combined Opposition.
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