Lakshadweep: Kerala HC issues interim stay on two controversial reforms

Kochi: In a setback to the Lakshadweep administration, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday stayed the operation of two controversial orders issued by the island administration.

The orders that have been stayed, including on the removal of beef and chicken from the noon meal scheme and the decision to close all the dairy farms on the island.

The order was issued by the bench including the chief justice while considering a PIL filed by Lakshadweep native Ajmal Ahammed against the moves of the Lakshadweep administration.

The interim stay order has clearly stated that no further action should be taken on both these controversial reforms until a counter-affidavit is filed. The PIL filed against both the reforms were under consideration of the high court.

When the court had asked the reason behind passing such orders, the Centre replied that since there were no proper facilities for storing meat, it was decided to drop it from the menu.

The reason for the Animal Husbandry department to close down the dairy farms was that such farms were found not to be financially viable.

The court, however, did not find these reasons valid and stayed both the orders until further notice.

The bench has also asked the island administration to respond to the PIL within two weeks.

Things have been in turmoil in the island ever since the appointment of former Gujarat Minister Praful Khoda Patel as the new island Administrator who passed several orders,l which the islanders feel are a breach of their culture and traditions.

Since then there have been numerous protests on the island and the day Patel arrived on the island on a few days visit on June 14, all of them wore black and shouted slogans of 'go back from their homes.