HC puts cops in the dock

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday intervened to solve the commuters' woes owing to the hours-long traffic snarl in Kochi. Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur summoned City Police Commissioner M R Ajith Kumar and asked him to ensure smooth traffic in the city. The court also directed the police to ensure that processions are held according to stipulated regulations only. The court sprung into action after the traffic in city came to a standstill for over three hours earlier in the day owing to the massive rally taken out by the Kudumbi community. JUDGES' DAY OUTThe judges and other judicial officials had a tough time in reaching the offices. The proceedings in the courts of three Judges - Justice B P Ray, Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice K Surendramohan - were delayed. The three judges were forced to walk down to the High Court after their cars got struck in the midst of the protestors. Taking a serious note of the situation, the court has sought an explanation from the City Police Commissioner. It observed that the police went wrong in overlooking the possibility of traffic jams and failed in taking adequate measures to tackle them. The intelligence wing had also failed in this regard, the court observed. Ajith Kumar told the court that the failure occurred as he was on leave. He also said prior permission was not given to the Kudumbi members to hold a protest march. Meanwhile, Advocate-General K P Dhandapani told the court that the traffic block was due to the parking of the vehicles of the protesters on the roadside. He also said that appropriate action would be taken. Later Ajith Kumar personally met the three judges who had to walk down to the court and explained the situation. He admitted that the police had failed in controlling the mob. As soon as the court proceedings began, Advocate Shivan Madathil mentioned the issue of heavy traffic blockade before the Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique. He said that the judicial officials, advocates and the public were stranded in the traffic jam for hours. He also stated that the police had not taken adequate measures in dealing with the protest march. The court immediately summoned the City Police Commissioner and the Advocate-General.