Within an hour of the Supreme Court on Tuesday deferring the hearing on the special leave petition of the Jagan Mohan Reddy government on the Amaravati capital issue, the Andhra Pradesh high court gave the clearance for the padayatra of Amaravati farmers.
The high court dismissed the petition of the Jagan government seeking cancellation of permission given to the Amaravati farmers up to Arasavilli in Srikakulam district demanding retention of the capital in their region and opposing three capitals’ decision.
The high court refused to buy the argument of the state government that the Amaravati farmers were instigating the people of north coastal Andhra and it might lead to law and order issues.
The government also alleged that the farmers were violating the restrictions imposed by the high court on their padayatra and turning it into a political yatra, thereby creating troubles to the police.
However, the high court said the padayatra could be allowed with the police ensuring that they do not violate the laws. As permitted by the court earlier, not more than 600 farmers could take party in the Amaravati to Arasavilli yatra, it said.
The high court said only those who had identity cards indicating their status as farmers would be allowed to be part of the yatra. It asked the police authorities to give the identity cards to the farmers immediately.
With regard to the leaders and cadres of various political parties and other sections of people, who want to express their solidarity with the Amaravati farmers in their yatra, the court said they could be allowed on either side of the road and not as part of the yatra.
“The farmers should abide by the directions issued by the court in the past. No further relaxations would be allowed in this regard,” the high court said, adding that they could resume the padayatra as usual.