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
i think beef should be banned, we can't afford to eat meat now its cost is rs 180 from rs 60 to 70. and also we can't get full beef meat even if we pay rs 180. it is also highly cholesterol. better beef should be banned.
like other states. beef stallers take adwantage of this matter there will be no more clashes or communal violence against cow slaughter. jai ho
Rowdy Mithun Rai is a repeat offender. He is aiming for MLA seat in the next election. He want to become Hero for minorities to get their votes. But minorities need to know, he is running Haram business (Amazon Pub) in front for SDM college and recently in news for beating innocents.
NEED TO DUMP THIS SHARAN PUMPLE IN PUMPLE GARBAGE ,
USELESS GUY HE IS Y MEDIA FOCUS ON HIM ...... LEAVE HIM LET HIM GO TO HELL
My humble request to all the officers of mangalore pls dump sharan borewell after no need any peace meeting in mangalofe arrest him & put goonda act on him
Ban peace meets :p
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