After nearly a decade, Kerala Secretariat’s North Gate reopens

T'puram: North Gate of the Secretariat, one of its main entry points and widely known as the ‘protest gate', was reopened on Tuesday after remaining closed for nearly a decade. The gate was opened by Congress-backed organizations within the Secretariat after removing the police barricades installed there. The gate largely remained closed during the previous LDF administration, citing security concerns. Soon after it was reopened, chief minister V D Satheesan exited the Secretariat through the North Gate. The gate briefly remained open after the first govt led by former CM Pinarayi Vijayan assumed office in 2016. However, it was subsequently closed again, citing security reasons. Functionaries of Congress-affiliated organizations said reopening the gate represented the restoration of public access and a more open style of governance following the change in administration. M S Ershad of Kerala Secretariat Association said the move symbolized the "return of freedom" to the people of Kerala after the swearing-in of the new UDF govt. The leaders alleged that restrictions imposed earlier had effectively turned the Secretariat into a ‘fortress', limiting public access to authorities. They said the new govt would adopt a more people-friendly and accessible approach to governance. According to them, members of the public will be allowed entry through the North Gate after 3pm every day.