Declining to stay the bandh call given by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Porgressive Alliance on October 1 "for speedy implementation of the Sethusamudram project," the Madras high court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that normal life was not disturbed due to the bandh.

A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice P Jyotimani, said, "Prima facie, we find substance in the contention of the petitioners that DMK and its allies have called for a bandh and not a strike or hartal. Therefore, we admit the petitions filed by the AIADMK and three others."

The bench ordered notices returnable by October 24 to DMK, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist, CPI and Pattali Makkal Katchi on the petitions filed by AIADMK, represented by its presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, one 'Traffic' Ramaswamy and advocate R Balasubramanian, challenging the bandh.

In addition to the instructions given by the chief secretary to the director general of police, inspector general of police, all district collectors and commissioners of police in six corporations, the bench directed the state government to ensure that no political parties or organisations can by force or intimidation stop or interfere with the road and rail traffic and free movement of citizens in the state.

The government was also directed to ensure the smooth running of all public transport including civil aviation.

The authorities were directed to take appropriate action against persons indulging in stoppage or interfering with the transport or free movement of citizens.

The bench directed the chief secretary to inform the public about preparations made for the bandh through print and electronic media,making them feel secure.