Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 29:
A division bench of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal bench today directed the State Government to implement the first phase of the National Highway Patrolling Scheme within one month.
Justices JN Sharma and B Lamare pronounced the verdict on a PIL filed by human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam and four others.
The Court said it is the bounden duty of the State to protect the highways.
In view of the truce limitation within the boundary of Nagaland, some people subsequently imposed blockade on the highways cutting off the lifelines.
Transportation of essential commodities including petroleum products have been dealt a crippling blow, it observed.
The Central security forces should be deployed on the national highways arid if they need any amount for deployment of their troops the same should be paid by the State Government in advance, maintained the Court.
Since the NHs connect the neighboring States, the Registry of the Imphal bench of the High Court should send a copy of this order to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, it ruled.
Mention may be made that the State Government had already decided to open the first phase of the NH Patrolling Scheme by opening six security posts between Mao and Imphal at an average distance of 20 kms between the posts.
However the scheme had to be aborted due to fund constraint.
Advocate M Rakesh who appeared in favor of the petitioners said the PIL was filed in April this year.
The petitioners prayed for directing the Government to implement the first phase of the scheme and provide adequate security escorts for oil tankers in order to ensure smooth supply of fuel in the State.