A single-judge Calcutta High Court bench today ordered Kolkata Police to ban meetings and processions in the city between 8 am to 8 pm on working days. The court also asked the police to notify the public of the order and directed them to deploy riot police force, if necessary, in enforcing the order.Justice Amitav Lala had issued a suo motu contempt rule against Kolkata Police (Traffic) on September 24 when a rally organised by the Adivasi Socio-Educational and Cultural Association brought the city to a halt. Justice Lala was left stranded on the road for more than 40 minutes that day.Justice Lala directed the police to ensure that from now on, meetings and processions are held only after 8.00 pm on holidays after obtaining prior permission from police authorities. Besides, the judge said, the organisers should deposit a security amount with the police so that anybody suffering from any loss due to the procession or meeting could be compensated.Reacting to the court order, a member of the All-India Forward Bloc told The Indian Express, ‘‘We’re shocked. It’s our democratic right to hold rallies.’’
