HC raps HAC chairman, ATSUM president
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 03 2023: Consequent to the respective statements of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) criticising the judgment and order passed by the High Court of Manipur last month regard -ing a petition hied by Meetei Tribe Union, the high court on Wednesday called for explanation from the HAC chairman and the ATSUM president as to why action should not be taken under the Contempt of Court against them.

While hearing a petition hied by Mutum Churamani and others in relation with the statements of HAC and ATSUM, the acting chief justice MV Muralidaran observed that in its judgment dated March 27, the court directed the state government to submit the recommendation in reply to a letter (dated 29.05, 2023) of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

The court also directed that government shall consider the case of the petitioner for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list, expeditiously, preferably within a period four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order in terms of the averments set out in the writ petition and in the line order passed in WP(C) No 4281 of 2002 dated 26.05.2003 by the Gauhati High Court.

The counsel of the petition er argued that the resolution passed by the HAC and the press statement issued by ATSUM are against the law.

The HAC cannot take such decision, which amounts to purview of the HAC and both of them are not permitted to circulate such resolution, which amounts to violation of the Court's order.

He further argued that the press com munique issued by ATSUM mentioned so many con temptuous words, which di rectly threatens the authority of the High Court.

After hearing the counsel, the court issued notice to the HAC chairman and ATSUM president for their personal appearance on May 8 before the court.

The Director General of Police, Manipur was also directed to ensure their personal appearance for instigating innocent hill people against the order passed by the High Court of Manipur with show cause as to why they should not be punished for criticising the order passed by the Court in WP(C) No 229 of 2023 dated 27 03 2023 .

Friends in print and electronic media may appeal to the organisations/civil society bodies and general people not to cause low dignity of the High Court of Manipur, the court further asked.

Comment