PIL filed against occupation of Primary Health Sub-Centre at Thonglang Akutpa, Senapati
September 21 2016:
HRLN (Manipur) is happy to announce that today, the High Court of Manipur issued notice of motion to the authority of Assam Rifles and the State of Manipur in respect of a PIL filed against prolonged occupation of a Primary Health Sub-Centre at Thonglang Akutpa, Senapati District by the personnel of 25 Assam Rifles since the year 1994.
The said PIL is filed by one villager of Thonglang Atongba (Benna), Senapati District in order to restore the service of the said Primary Health Sub-Centre after removal of the Assam Rifles personnel.
The said PIL is placed today before a division bench comprising of Honble Chief Justice Mr. Rakesh Ranjan Prasad and Honble Mr. Justice Songkhupchung Serto. After hearing the submission of the counsel for the Petitioner, the Honble High Court issued notice of motion to the Respondents, which is made returnable within three weeks.
The Court took serious cognizance of the matter and expressed shock that for the last 22 years, the villagers have been deprived of the public health delivery centre. The Counsel for the Petitioner submitted that in 1994 during Naga-Kuki ethnic clash, personnel of Assam Rifles occupied the entire premises of the PHSC, which is now supposed to cater a population of 8400 approximately, spread out across 13 hill villages.
The occupation was done and continues till today without following any due process. At the same time, the Government of Manipur did not provide alternative arrangement also. Consequently, villagers are compelled to go to Kangpokpi Community Health Centre and District Hospital, Senapati after spending huge amount of money for hiring private vehicles.
Today the Honble High Court has issued notices to all the respondents listed in the PIL i.e.
(i) the State of Manipur through the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur,
(ii) the Commissioner (Health) Government of Manipur,
(iii) the Union of India through the Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,
(iv) the Defence Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Government of India and
(v) the Commanding Officer, 25 Assam Rifles.
The present Writ Petition is being filed at the active initiation of Human Rights Law Network (Manipur).
(Meihoubam Rakesh)
Director , Human Rights Law Network (Manipur)
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Human Rights Law Network (Manipur) who can be contacted at manipur(AT)hrln(DOT)org
This Press Release was posted on September 22 2016
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