DC's decision to ban protests near her office draws flak

The Deputy Commissioner of Hassan, Rohini Sindhuri, who has effected major changes in the Revenue department, within three days of taking charge, to introduce transparency in administration, has now banned holding of protests near the DC’s office.

The DC’s decision has not gone down well with the representatives of various organisations. It may be mentioned that the vacant plot, opposite the DC’s office, was the venue for staging of protests since several years.

On Wednesday, barricades were erected around the DC’s office and police personnel have been deputed on the premises, restricting the movement of the people. The protesters have been directed to hold protests at a vacant plot behind B R Ambedkar’s statue on the right side of the administrative complex. The new venue for the protests is near the Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director’s office.

Representatives of various organisations have opposed the move. Speaking to DH, CPM district secretary Dharmesh said, banning of protests is against the spirit of democracy. “Protests are being staged near the DC’s office to draw the attention of the DC and to find solutions the problems. There have been many instances, when the protesters were neglected by the DCs, despite aggrieved persons holding protests near the office. Now, there will be no meaning if the protests are held in some remote corner,” he opined.

Raitha Sangha district president Kotturu Srinivas said, they will stage a protest near the DC’s office against the ban order. “Let the DC take action against us,” he challenged.

When contacted, DC Rohini Sindhuri said, she had not told anybody to stop staging protests.  “The venue of the protests has been changed near Ambedkar’s statue, so that it does not hinder the officials from discharging their duty,” she clarified.