SC to Tamil Nadu: Take violent NEET protesters to task

CHENNAI: people attempting to paralyse life in Tamil Nadu while protesting against implementation of NEET for admission to MBBS and BDS courses, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the state to take action against those blocking rail and road traffic during agitation.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud directed the state chief secretary and principal secretary to act tough against protesters indulging in violence and breaching peace.It issued notice to the state on a plea seeking to restrain political parties from holding protests against the SC's Constitution bench verdict directing enforcement of NEET, the common medical entrance test.
The SC passed the order on a petition filed by advocate G S Mani seeking its direction to the state to maintain law and order. He alleged that the issue is being politicised after 17-year old medical aspirant S Anitha committed suicide for having failed to get admission through NEET.
“As an interim measure, it is directed that it shall be the obligation of the chief secretary and the principal secretary (home) to ensure law and order is maintained throughout the state in the wake of the present situation. The chief secretary shall see to it that anyone involved in any kind of bandh or activity that disrupts life and detrimentally affects law and order in the state shall be booked under the appropriate law,“ the bench said.