Manipur High Court Seeks State Government’s Affidavit on Security Lapses During Moreh Violence
The Manipur High Court has issued a stern directive to the state government, mandating the submission of a comprehensive affidavit within a two-week timeframe. This affidavit should detail the security lapses that resulted in the inability to protect houses and properties during the recent spate of violence in Moreh town.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Presided over by Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, the bench is also seeking information on the state’s actions in the aftermath of the incidents, particularly concerning the burning and looting of properties of the displaced residents of Moreh town.
This directive was in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by Congress leader K. Devabrata Singh. The PIL’s primary objective is to ensure measures to ‘safeguard’ the homes and assets of communities such as the Meitei, Tamil, and other minor groups. Singh’s PIL alleges that these communities were forcibly evacuated from Moreh Town due to the recent ethnic disturbances in the state.
In a significant development, Singh presented an additional affidavit to the Manipur High Court, stating
“The State Government is trying to escape its responsibility to protect the lives & properties of victims in the violence-hit Moreh town of the state.”
He further claimed that despite the ongoing turmoil, marked by incidents of property damage, looting, and harassment, the Union and State security forces appear to be diverting from their primary duty of safeguarding the properties and lives of civilians from specific communities.
Senior Advocate Sapam Biswajit Meitei, with the assistance of Advocate Naorem Prista Devi, presented a compelling argument before the Court. They emphasized that despite two interim orders issued by the Court on May 15 and June 2, which directed the respondents to ensure adequate security in Moreh, there have been two instances where around twenty vacant houses were set ablaze and properties were looted.
The advocates also underscored the complete failure and lapses of the security forces stationed in Moreh, stating
“There has been total failure and lapses on the part of the security forces stationed at Moreh to safeguard the properties of the displaced people despite the order passed by this Court.”
They further pointed out the lack of explanations regarding these security lapses in the affidavits submitted by both the state authorities and the Central Government.
Taking into account the arguments and the gravity of the situation, the Court has demanded a detailed affidavit from the state government, stating
“We are of the view that mere fining of the handlers, or filing cases against them for inflicting cruelty to the animals, is not sufficient… The only effective way, in which cruelty to the equines can be curbed, is by blacklisting such handlers/ owners… We, therefore, direct the state to formulate a scheme/ rule in this regard, and to implement the same strictly as, it is only the fear of being debarred from carrying on their business, that will drive the erring handlers/ owners of equines, to fall in line.”
The case, titled Khumanthem Devabrata Singh vs. State of Manipur & 5 Ors. [PIL No. 23 of 2023], is scheduled for its next hearing on August 31.
