Fri Nov 22 09:43:50 UTC 2024: ## Kerala High Court Condemns Hartals in Landslide-Hit Wayanad
**Kochi, Kerala –** The Kerala High Court sharply criticized both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) for holding dawn-to-dusk hartals (general strikes) in Wayanad district on November 19th, just days after devastating landslides. The court deemed the hartals irresponsible and unacceptable, questioning their justification, particularly in the wake of a major disaster.
The hartals were staged to protest the perceived lack of sufficient central government assistance for landslide victims months after the calamity. Both parties are demanding that the Union government declare the event a national disaster and expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts. The state government estimates losses at ₹2,219 crore.
A Division Bench of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and K.V. Jayakumar expressed displeasure, questioning whether a hartal was the only avenue for protest. The court’s observations were made during the hearing of a plea focused on disaster prevention and management in the state.
Meanwhile, the central government informed the court that assistance is being provided, and that ₹153 crore has already been allocated from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) for emergency relief operations. The case highlights the ongoing tension between the state and central governments over disaster relief in the affected region.
First Piper 