Friday, July 8 2005 14:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), a key partner in the Manmohan Singh Government, today (July 8, 2005) said the Centre should reconsider some of the amendments to the CrPC, which has led to protests among advocates in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement in Chennai, DMK President M Karunanidhi said the Centre had brought about a total of 44 amendments to CrPC, for which the President had not yet given his assent.

Putting forth the view that a few of the amendments would affect the interests of the general public, the advocates of the Madras High Court and various other courts had been boycotting the court proceedings for the last two days.

The agitation, which commenced here has started spreading to other parts of the State, he said.

In this context, "I would like to plead" with the Centre to reconsider those amendments which would affect the general public at large.

The Centre should come forward to hold detailed discussions with the lawyers' organisations with an aim to amicably settle the matter.

"Meanwhile, I appeal to the lawyers to resume their court work calling off their agitation with a view to safeguarding the interests of the litigant people", he said.

Meanwhile, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss told reporters here that the State Government should meet the representatives of the advocates to bring about changes in the amendments that were causing them concern.