Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)
Kasargod, Aug 18: “People who travel from Kasargod to Mangaluru on a daily basis will be issued passes from August 19. The passes will be issued by the state government at Talapady border after antigen tests,” said district in-charge minister E Chandrashekaran. “The system will be implemented on other border posts in the district soon,” he said.
“Those with passes should undergo antigen tests once in a week. The interstate passes will be issued within a few minutes after tests. The passes are being arranged by the district administration in association with the department of health and police, after demands from political parties, elected representatives and local bodies,” he said.
District in-charge minister E Chandrashekaran
Permission for interstate movement of people will be subject to conditions at Jalsoor, Perla, Panathoor, Belloor and borders.
Dakshina Kannada district administration had directed the deputy commissioner to clear mud on Kerala border roads. Though there are no restrictions for daily travel from Karnataka, Kasargod district administration had imposed restrictions. UDF and Yuva Morcha activists had protested and removed mud on the Kerala border.
Thousands of people in Kasargod depend on Dakshina Kannada district for their business, agriculture, jobs, education and health. The restrictions on the borders had caused issues.
Dakshina Kannada district administration had closed 21 roads connecting to Kerala with mud in the initial days of coronavirus scare. Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan had questioned the move in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had then ruled that the borders cannot be closed. But Kasargod district administration has laid restrictions on travel now. BJP Kasargod district committee has filed a case in Kerala high court questioning the restrictions.
The restrictions between Kasargod and Karnataka are giving rise to legal and political tussle. People on the border are stuck due to these issues. The pressure that interstate travel should be allowed without any hurdles is becoming intense.