SHRC panel to check footpath violations

T'puram: State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) recommended the formation of a committee comprising corporation, police and public works department officials to address issues like illegal advertisements on footpaths and unauthorized parking.
SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas, stated that the committee should convene monthly to ensure action against violators. SHRC emphasized that public rights to safe and unobstructed passage on roads and sidewalks must not be compromised. The corporation secretary was tasked with initiating the formation of this committee, which aims to provide a permanent solution to such complaints. The recommendation came in response to a petition from a blind complainant about footpath encroachments. SHRC noted that despite orders from the high court and SHRC, violations persist disrupting the public's freedom of movement.
A permanent committee would enable timely resolution of these issues, it said. District police officials informed the commission that they are assisting the corporation squad in removing illegal advertisements and taking action against unauthorized parking.