The Kerala High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the state government and police for not taking stringent actions against those demanding ‘Nokkukooli’. The HC asked the DGP to take measures permissible under the provisions of criminal laws to prevent such practices.
If the state government could not suppress such illegal practice it would be ‘a matter of constitutional shame’, the court observed. “What preventive actions were taken by the state government against this sort of unlawful activities?
The question gains importance particularly when developmental activities were being thwarted by recourse to such anti-social and unlawful activities, which when collectively done, become offences affecting the society at large,” the court said.
The Division Bench passed the order while considering a petition seeking police protection by the Kollam Contract Labour Cooperative Society which has undertaken three contract works in Thiruvananthapuram district under the Directorate of Inlaid Navigation, Kollam. The court said the demand for ‘Nokkukooli’ should be dealt in accordance with the law. The government and police have to rise up to the occasion and act tough.
“They should show that they have the teeth to do it. Preventive laws authorising preventive detention are also in place. What is required is executive will with no interference by anybody who may command political influence capable of blessing those who demand ‘Nokkukooli’,” the court observed.