New Delhi, Apr 4: The Supreme Court on Friday urged Karnataka and Kerala to amicably resolve their issues concerning a border blockade that has choked the free flow of vehicles carrying essential items and patients in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Karnataka, which imposed the blockade, justified that its border was sealed to “combat the spread of the pandemic by preventing the movement of people from the bordering districts of Kerala to Karnataka”.
The State had moved the Supreme Court, challenging a Kerala High Court order on April 1 to open the border. Kerala has countered that patients from the State cannot be denied access to health care. Besides, the blockade has severely affected the supply of essential items, from medicines to food, to Kerala.
On Friday, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Deepak Gupta urged the States to not confront each other in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis. Instead, it asked the Chief Secretaries of both States to sit with the Union Health Secretary and iron out a solution. Meanwhile, the apex court urged Kerala not to take any precipitative action based on the High Court order.
The court issued notice to Kerala on the appeal filed by Karnataka, represented by advocate Shubhranshu Padhi. It listed the case for further hearing on April 7.
Karnataka, in its appeal against the High Court order, said the blockade was put in place in the interest of public health. The situation regarding Coronavirus was “really dire”, it said. It warned that opening the blockade would cause a law and order issue as its local population wanted the border to remain sealed.
Karnataka argued that Kerala was the “worst-affected” State in the country with nearly 194 coronavirus cases. In this, Kasaragod, adjoining Karnataka, was the “worst affected” district of Kerala with over a 100 positive cases.
MP’s plea
The court also separately considered a writ petition by Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan for an order to forthwith open the State border.
The parliamentarian, represented by advocates Haris Beeran and Pallavi Pratap, urged the court to issue an ex-parte stay on the operation of the blockade imposed by Karnataka with its border States.
Mr. Unnithan said Karnataka’s blockade was “ill-planned and dangerous” and had led to loss of lives. Two patients from Kerala, in need of urgent medical care, died after their ambulances were denied entry at the border by the Karnataka authorities.
Comments
No muslim will pelt stone to mosques. Then who else???
I wont think that KN govt will control those media. especially siddaramaiah govt. They are always giving preferences to Mulsims
I can strongly say that many of the issues worsening because of biased medias. They are propagating their ideology. Karnataka govt should control that.
Police should act fast and effectively. Should use commandos if needed
Guilty people should get arrested
Mr. Althaf. Did those people written and kept we are Hindus..? I too saw video. From low resolution video how to came to know that he is those people are Hindus. I know many Muslims who does not like many of your rules and rigidity.
honnavara is burning, chickmangalore is in boil, Hunsur suppose to burn! but the communal goons roam free, and we say secular govt, is in power! vote devide bla bla bla!!!! jus wake up and see the realities!!
The policemen belongs to CongRSS party which is ruling Karnataka..
I saw one video in that hindus are pelting stone at mosques and piolice personel are watching this without taking any action. Infront of police Hindu guys are destroying public properties and police is watching the show. Shame on police. How can people trust this police?? Who will save muslim properties and mosques?
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