HC says yes to homage at Cheiraoching
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 10 2015 :
The High Court of Manipur has passed an order to allow the family members, friends and well wishers of the nine persons, who died in an encounter with the army in 1982 at Kodompokpi to perform ritual ceremonies and pay floral tributes at their memorial sites at Chingmeirong Cheiraoching on April 13 .
Speaking at a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, family members of these nine persons said that regarding the matter, they filed a writ petition in the High Court and the single bench of Justice Kh Nobin passed the order in their favour on April 7 .
Petitioners' counsel, P Tamphamani said that there was no restriction in offering floral tributes at Cheiraoching till 1999 .
However the State Government started imposing restrictions from 2000, he added.
Like in past years, families of these nine persons had to approach the Court for this annual memorial ceremony as the Government has not responded to the pleas of these families, he said.
The counsel further said that the families filed a writ petition against the State Government and three other respondents - Principal Secretary (Home), Imphal West District Magistrate and Imphal West SP regarding the matter.
Hearing of the writ petition was held on April 7 and the single bench passed the order to grant permission to the general public to perform ritual ceremonies and pay floral tributes from 6 am to 4 pm on April 13 .
Family members appealed to all concerned not to impose any kind of bandh and blockade on the said day.