The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the police to take strict action against any violations of its order banning a proposed rally by dismissed school job candidates to the state secretariat, Nabanna, scheduled for July 28.
The direction was issued by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh while hearing a petition filed by a shop owner, who complained that repeated protests and rallies along Nityadhan Mukherjee Road in Howrah were hampering local businesses and daily activities.
The court noted that the police had already denied permission for the proposed rally. “Since the police authorities have refused permission to the organisation on July 28, in case there is any assembly of persons which disturbs the business of the present petitioner and/or other affected persons who intend to carry out their trade/profession or day-to-day work, police authorities would take steps against the violators in accordance with law,” Justice Ghosh ordered.
Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the state government, confirmed that the rally was denied permission by the police for valid reasons.
The rally was planned by a section of jobseekers who lost their employment after the Supreme Court in April quashed the appointments of nearly 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in state-aided schools over irregularities in recruitment. The protesting group claims they were hired lawfully and were not involved in any wrongdoing.
