PIL on SAPO ban heard in SC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 06 2023:
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mao Imphal Market Coordination Committee convenor Khuraijam Athouba before the Supreme Court of India on March 13 regarding the ban on entry and movement of Mao community members by Southern Angami People Organisation (SAPO) and the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) was heard for the third time on April 5 .
After hearing the petitioner's counsel, Ngangom Junior Luwang, Advocate, Government of India through Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta assured the apex Court that the issues/grievances raised by the petitioner were being discussed and looked into at the appropriate level and some decision is likely to be arrived at within three weeks.
After hearing the Solicitor General, the Supreme Court fixed the next hearing on May 4 .
Apart from raising specific grievances of the Mao community members, the PIL also raised other important issues of public importance and sought the Supreme Court's appropriate directions to the Central Government and the State Governments of Nagaland and Manipur.
The PIL has been seeking appropriate actions against all persons or organisations responsible for the various acts of violence during the ban on entry and movement of Mao people through Southern Angami settlement areas in Nagaland and most specifically necessary actions on the FIR(s) lodged with the police stations concerned in Nagaland.
The PIL also sought necessary relief/compensation to the affected people who have lost assets and business during the blockade.
It also sought declaration of SAPO and SAYO as unlawful associations under Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 .
The PIL prayed for judicial/administrative enquiries into the various lapses on the part of law enforcement agencies and administrative machinery during the ban on movement and entry of Mao community members through Southern Angami settlement areas.
It further sought direction to the Central Government and the concerned State Governments to secure National Highways in Manipur, Nagaland in particular and the North East in general so that no such act or blockade is repeated in future.