HC takes up Merger Agreement case
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 18 2014 :
A division bench of the High Court of Manipur has heard a Public Interest Litigation ( Pil) that sought implementation of Article VIII (3) of the Manipur Merger Agreement signed between the then Maharaja of Manipur, Bodhachandra and the Indian dominion on September 21, 1949, which led to the merger of Manipur into India on October 15 the same year.
The provision in question says that the Government of India undertakes to make suitable provisions for the employment of Manipuris in various branches of public services and in every way encourage Manipuris to join them.
They also undertook to preserve various laws, customs and conventions prevailing in the State pertaining to the social, economic and religious life of the people.
Activist Th Suresh Singh, chairman of the Centre for Foreign Studies and Placement, Manipur and former Director of Manipur Health Services is the petitioner.
Last year, Dr Suresh approached the Supreme Court putting the same plea but the apex Court advised him to approach the State High Court and take its opinion on the matter.
This being the case, he filed the case before Manipur High Court, Dr Suresh said.
Having heard the Pil, Manipur High Court headed by its acting Chief Justice Laxmikanta Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishore on Monday asked the petitioner to point out the specific relief being sought saying that Article VIII (3) of the Merger Agreement is
"too generalized" .
The Court gave him three weeks to submit his reply, Suresh said and added that he and his lawyer would be preparing to submit his response within the stipulated time.
After the High Court made its ruling, the matter would be again put up before the Supreme Court for final disposal, he added.
Advocate Dr RK Deepak appeared on behalf of Suresh.