The Andhra Pradesh high court on Friday imposed stringent restrictions on the ongoing padayatra by the farmers of Amaravati to Arasavilli in Srikakulam district, so as to prevent outbreak of any law and order issues.
The high court gave certain directions acting on a petition filed by the Amaravati joint action committee (JAC) and Amaravati Parirakshana Samithi alleging that the police are creating unnecessary hurdles to the farmers’ padayatra.
The court said under any circumstances, the number of people taking part in the padayatra should not exceed the permitted 600.
“If any group of people want to extend any solidarity to them, they can do so by standing on either side of the road,” it said.
The high court barred the supporters from various political parties and also the common people not walk along with the farmers, but stay at a distance.
“It is the responsibility of the police to see that the padayatra comprises only allowed number of 600 people and others would not join them,” it said.
The court also gave several instructions on what should be there in the yatra, such as Ratham, make-shift toilets, utensils and other materials for making food and arrangements for night shelters. They should not carry any other material that was not there in the list submitted to the court.
The high court also took into cognizance the interim petition filed by the government asking for cancellation of permission for padayatra in north coastal Andhra in view of the tense situation.
“We shall hear the petition later,” it said.
