In a dramatic turn, Collector R.Kirlosh Kumar on Thursday rescinded the four-day-old order issued by him, banning entry of Pattalai Makkal Katchi founder S.Ramadoss and Jayamkondam MLA J.Guru into the district and holding any meetings or demonstrations for two months.
The revocation of the ban order came in the wake of the siege laid by party men, led by party president G.K.Mani, to the Collector’s Camp Office here, and the representations made by Dr Ramadoss and Mr Guru through an advocate seeking the withdrawal of the entry restrictions.
In the ban order, the Collector in his capacity as the District Magistrate by invoking Section 144 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code had stated that under the existing circumstances in the district it was not conducive for the entry of those two leaders because it was feared that their statements might disrupt peace and cause unrest between communities.
Besides banning their entry, the Collector also prohibited them from participating in any meetings or demonstrations in the district from January 21 to March 20. In the subsequent order, the Collector noted that he had received separate representations from Dr Ramadoss and Mr Guru, through their advocate R.Balu, giving an undertaking that both leaders would not make any statements which would fuel animosity between Vanniyars and Dalits.
Based on such averments, the Collector rescinded the ban order. Soon after the news broke out, the party cadre who gathered in strength in front of the Camp Office burst into rapture and celebrated by bursting crackers.
After obtaining the latest order, Mr Mani told presspersons that Dr Ramadoss had been advising the party men not to stage road rokos or black flag demonstrations or burn effigies or indulge in any unlawful activities.
Moreover, he had espoused the cause of the Dalits and launched many a struggle for their rights and uplift. When such was the case, the ban order was unwarranted, Mr Mani said.
Ramadoss visit
Dr. Ramadoss landed in Cuddalore town within one-and-half hours of the lifting of the ban order on his entry by District Collector R.Kirlosh Kumar and also addressed the party men at the Manjakupam grounds on Thursday.
He faulted the ban order by terming it “anti-democratic and illegal.” Having realized his mistake, the Collector had withdrawn the order, for which he deserved felicitation, Dr Ramadoss said.
