JUDGMENT

The petitioner is the proprietor of a stone quarry as also a crusher unit for processing quarrying stone.

2. According to the petitioner, both of the units of the petitioner are functioning with the requisite permissions and licences. The petitioner contends that despite the fact that the area in question is not an area covered under the Kerala Headload Workers' Welfare Scheme, and though a majority of the operations of the petitioner's proprietary concern are done using machines, respondents 4 to 9 and their associates have been causing obstructions to the work of the petitioner, claiming to be headload workers entitled to be engaged in the unit of the petitioner. The petitioner is thus before this Court seeking the following reliefs:

I. “Issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ/direction directing respondents No.3 to provide adequate, effective, and continuing police protection to the petitioner, his employees, vehicles and property at the quarry premises and approach roads t