HC directs Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 09 2020: A Division Bench of High Court of Manipur on Monday heard a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) seeking the Court to direct the Government to allow all activities that are permitted/exempted amid the COVID-19 lockdown as per an order issued by the Chief Secretary on May 18 .

The Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Kh Nobin heard the PIL through video conferencing and observed that the petitioner, Huidrom Rajeswar of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai may submit representations to the Government.

"This is for the Government to take a decision in this regard, as to which sector will be allowed to work which is permissible within the provision of Disaster management Act," said the Court.

The PIL, filed under Article 226, had argued that even though several activities/sectors have been exempted from the purview of the lockdown by the Government order of May 18, the Government has been allegedly prohibiting the exempted activities too which not only amounts to violation/misuse of office by the respondents, particularly Home Department, but also violates the right to life and right to livelihood enshrined in the Constitution.

The PIL prayed the High Court to direct the State Government not to prohibit/obstruct/hinder/impede activities which are permitted by the order so as to improve the State's economy.

The Counsel of the petitioner had alleged that shops dealing with raw materials for handlooms (between 6 am and 2 pm), shops dealing with construction materials like cement and steel (between 6 am and 2 pm), all shops dealing with motor spare parts and lubricants (from 6 am to 6 pm), all mobile sale shops and mobile repairing shops (from 6 am to 2 pm), private vehicles for emergency services including medical and veterinary care and all employees of exempted categories attending work places are facing difficulties.

Observing that the Government is to take a decision on the issue and decide which sectors are to be exempted from the purview of the lockdown as per provisions of the Disaster Management Act, the Court said that the petitioner should submit representations on the issues to the Government.

The Government shall address the issues expeditiously, it said.

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