PIL against travel restriction on Imphal-Moreh route : Court summons AR authority
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 11 2015: A Division Bench of Manipur High Court comprising Chief Justice LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishwor has directed the Assam Rifles authority to appear before the Court on February 17 in connection with a PIL filed against closing of NH-102 from 6 pm to 6 am at Khudengthabi.

The Court conveyed the directive to the AR authority through Assistant Solicitor General Salam Rupachandra at the hearing of the PIL held today.

Petitioner's Counsel Khaidem Mani said that the Assistant Solicitor General who appeared before the Court on behalf of Assam Rifles pleaded before the Court to dispose off the case as Assam Rifles troops do not give any type of obstruction to travellers between Pallel and Moreh on the highway.

He informed the Court that an order issued by DGP Shahid Ahmad on January 30 had lifted all the restrictions imposed on vehicular movement between Pallel and Moreh.

During Yumnam Joykumar's period as the DGP, there was restriction on the movement of goods laden heavy vehicles between Pallel and Moreh.

He added that no light vehicle was also allowed to pass this stretch during a certain time.

Submitting relevant documents, the Assistant Solicitor General told the Court that Assam Rifles imposed restrictions on vehicular movement from 6 pm to 6 am acting on the State Government's order.

Later, Khaidem Mani drew the attention of the Court stating that 24 Assam Rifles troops detained RD&PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa and MLA D Korungthang, who were on an official tour to Moreh, for 10 minutes at Khudengthabi on February 9 .

He also submitted a photostat copy of an English daily to support his argument.

After perusing the arguments of both the sides, the Court directed the Assam Rifles authority to send a senior officer to the Court on February 17 .

It may be mentioned that in the previous hearing of the PIL held on February 5, the Court asked the AR authority to show cause if they impose any restrictions on vehicular movement on the highway.

The Court also directed them to relax the restrictions on the people who need emergency medical care.

The respondents of the PIL are Union of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Commandants of 24 Assam Rifles, 26 Assam Rifles and 9 Assam Rifles and the State of Manipur.

Comment