Court orders
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2018: The Division Bench High Court of Manipur, has directed the Union and State Government respondents to reply within four weeks regarding the PIL filed in connection with the unauthorised occupation of public premises along the National Highways of the State by creating parking spaces or by setting up stalls/shops etc.

The PIL was filed by former Chief Medical Officer Dr Ksh Manglem of Thoubal Achouba, through his counsel, Advocate B Prem.

The PIL prayed for directing the Union and the State Government respondents, which include the Union of India, Ministry/Department of Road Transport and Highway, through the Secretary, Government of India, the State of Manipur through the Chief Secretary, Presiding Officer, Highway Administrations, Regional Officer Guwahati, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Estate Officer/ Commissioner PWD Manipur, DC Thoubal, DC Imphal West, DC Imphal East and ST, Traffic Control Manipur.

The PIL was filed regarding the failure of the State and the Central Government to follow the Control of National Highways (land and traffic) Act 2002, the Public Premises Act 1971 and the Highway Protection Act 1956 .

The petitioner's counsel prayed to the Court to issue appropriate orders to the respondents so as to take up immediate actions for evicting the unauthorised occupants along the National Highways of the State.

It was submitted that goods and items of shops strewn along the road for display, placing of any movable or immovable items along the National Highways, have caused numerous road accidents.

There were 431 cases of road accidents along the National Highways in the year 2014 as per the official record of PIB, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The petitioner counsel also submitted that the premises of the High Court of Manipur is along National Highway 2 and on the way to the Court, many used cars can be seen kept on the road side for display, apart from large piles of sand (some covered while others are kept open), which caused major obstruction to the free flow of traffic along the said road.

It was further submitted that the respondents have not taken up any actions regarding the illegal/unauthorised occupants along the road.

After hearing the PIL in motion, the Court admitted the PIL and directed the respondents to reply within four weeks and listed the matter for hearing on March 12 .

Advocate M Tamphamani, the counsel assisting Advocate General N Kumarjit, accepted the notice on behalf of the State Government respondents while S Suresh (CGC) accepted the notice on behalf of the Union Government respondents.

Comment