HC moved for fast against PM's participation in CHOGM meet

A petition seeking police permission for observing an indefenite fast in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu to press Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to participate in the Commonwealth Summit to be held in Sri Lanka next month was filed in the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court here today.
After preliminary submissions, Justice T. S. Sivagnanam directed the government advocate to get instructions from the district SP and adjourned the case to Oct 22.
Petitioner Ayyanar alias Vengai, Organiser of Nam Thamizhar Katchi, Sivaganga, said it was an irony that Sri Lanka had been allowed to host a Commonwealth Summit despite "serious human rights abuses" in the island nation.

The petitioner's organisation demanded that the Prime Minister boycott the 23rd Commonwealth Summit scheduled from November 5-17.
As the government had not firmed up its stand on Prime Minister's participation, the petitioner's organisation decided to go on indefinite fast in Sivagangai to show their democratic dissent. But their plea for permission had been rejected by the police.
Government Advocate Ayiram Selvakumar contended the police rejected the plea citing the prevailing the law and order situation in the district.

Further, he submitted the prohibition order under Section 144 of CrPC was imposed in the district.
The petitioner's counsel Bhavat Singh pointed out that there had been similar agitations held by the petitioner's organisation in the past and there was no law and order problem.

He also pointed out that one Thiagu General Secretary of the Tamil National Liberation Movement was allowed to hold an indefinite fast over the issue in Chennai.