Police Commissioner to appear in Court over protest rally’s strict conditions

Police Commissioner Anil Kumar Dip has reportedly been summoned to appear before the Supreme Court over “strict conditions” imposed to organisers of an upcoming peaceful demonstration.

The Consumers Association of Mauritius (ACIM) is disputing, amongst others, the condition to restrict to 50 the number of participants at its car rally “against soaring prices”, scheduled for May 28.

NGO spokesperson Jayen Chellum was cited as telling the Supreme Court on April 18 that the restriction made no sense. 

“How can Police impose a limit of 50 people on a “car rally?”

This constraint, he argued, should apply – according to prevailing COVID-19 regulations – to those gathering in a public or private place.

Supreme Court Judge Aruna Devi Narain has reportedly acceded to ACIM’s application that the Commissioner Dip needs to clearly justify his decision.

The ACIM’s request is one of the numerous expressions of protest under way in the wake of recent hike in fuel prices.