HC issues notice to the State Government
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 06, 2013:
A division bench of Manipur High Court comprising of Chief Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Justice Nongmei-kapam Kotishwar has issued a notice of motion returnable within two weeks to the State Government.
The notice was issued after hearing a PIL jointly filed by Angom Rajesh of Awang Sekmai Khunou, Khwairakpam Chandramani of Awang Sekmai Mayai Leikai, Yumlembam Ibohal of Awang Sekmai Mayai Leikai and Meihoubam Manoj of Awang Sekmai Makha Leikai for issuance of a writ or direction to the State respondents to enforce and implement the Manipur Flood Plain Zoning Act 1978 effectively by appointing Flood Plain Zoning Authority so as to prohibit any quarrying activity in Sekmai river.
The petitioners contended that despite enactment of the Manipur Flood Plain Zoning Act 1978 by the Government of Manipur to provide for zoning of the flood plains of rivers in Manipur, actual implementation of the provisions of the said Act has not been made till date.
The petitioners further contended that uncontrolled quarrying of coarse sand, stone, gravels etc has severely affected the livelihood of the entire villages of Sekmai which have been dependent on Sekmai river for irrigation and ground water storage in their domestic wells since time immemorial.
Uncontrolled quarrying has drastically deepened water table in and around Sekmai, the petitioners stated, conveyed a press release issued by Human Rights Law Network (Manipur) director Meihoubam Rakesh who appeared on behalf of the petitioners.