Not unconstitutional, says MSC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 07 2020: The Manipur State Council (Government-in-exile) has categorically asserted that it is not unconstitutional.

A press release issued by MSC Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Narengbam Samarjit cited general clause 57 of the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947 and Article 374(3) of the Constitution of India in support of their claim that the Government-in-exile based in London is not unconstitutional.

General clause 57 of the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947 says, "Where in any case, circumstances arise which prevent the proper operation in law or in spirit of the Constitution Act, the Council may at their discretion refer the matter for decision to such authority outside the State as may be decided hereafter and the decision of that authority shall be binding".

And Article 374(3) of the Constitution of India says, "Nothing in this Constitution shall operate to invalidate the exercise of jurisdiction by His Majesty in Council to dispose of appeals and petitions from or in respect of any judgement, decree or order of any Court within the territory of India in so far as the exercise of such jurisdiction is authorised by law, and any order of His Majesty in Council made on any such appeal or petition after the commencement of this Constitution shall for all purposes have effect as if it were an order or decree made by the Supreme Court in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on such Court by this Constitution" .

The particular clause of the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947 and the particular article of the Constitution of India made it clear that London is the only place to legally resolve the Manipur-India political conflict, Samarjit asserted.

That was why, the de jure Government of Manipur was set up in London.

If this was not the case, the Manipur State Council would have already approached the Supreme Court of India, he continued.

However, as the Government of India neither respects rule of law nor its own Constitution, FIRs have been registered against the de jure Government of Manipur's Council of Ministers apart from invoking several Acts, he said.

Moreover, bank accounts of many people who have been paying incoming taxes have been frozen by the Government of India, he alleged.

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