No lives should be lost in the name of fighting coronavirus: HC

The Kerala High Court, while hearing a petition challenging the action of Karnataka government in shutting down its road borders with Kerala, said that no lives should be lost in the attempt to prevent a pandemic. After the central government announced the nationwide lockdown, the Karnataka government blocked its borders with Kerala to check the spread of coronavirus. Hence the movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities has been affected. The court posted the matter for further hearing on Tuesday.

Kochi (Kerala): The Kerala High Court, while hearing a petition filed against Karnataka's decision to block the border with Kerala, on Monday said that no lives should be lost in the attempt to prevent a pandemic.

Kerala High Court also said that "the current problem should be resolved amicably. Both the Union government and the Karnataka government should rise to the occasion."

The Central government has informed Kerala High Court that the movement of goods and medical services qualify under essential services, which is permitted despite the lockdown, and added that directions have been issued to give priority to the movement of such goods and services.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has sought a day's time to clarify their stand.

The matter will be taken up for further hearing via video conference tomorrow.

Kerala government has submitted that the action of Karnataka government to close the border is illegal as all the national highways in the country come under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Authority.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan also approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to open the Karnataka-Kerala border to allow movement of ambulances and other emergency vehicles for the transport of essential items to Kerala.

(ANI)