Notice served on HAC Chairman, ATSUM president
HC takes up contempt proceedings
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 03 2023: Hearing a contempt case, the High Court of Manipur has issued notices to MLA Diganglung Gangmei and ATSUM president Seiboi Haokip to appear before the Court on May 8 .

The notice for personal appearance was issued by the Court of Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidaran today.

It may be noted that the Court was hearing the contempt case filed by Mutum Churamani, secretary Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union and others.

The case was filed against Diganglung Gangmei, MLA of Nungba AC and Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee; Seiboi Haokip, president of All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur; Dr Rajesh Kumar, Chief Secretary; Dr Vumlunmang Vualnam, Additional Chief Secretary Tribal Affairs and Hills Department and Anil Kumar Jha, Secretary Ministry of Tribal Affair as respondents.

Notably, the case pertains to the issue of the demand of ST tag for Meitei/Meetei and it sheds light on the fact that on May 29, 2013, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs had asked the State Government to send its recommendations along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report for considering the ST demand.

In the Court, the counsel of the petitioner submitted that a writ petition was filed and subsequently, on March 27, the Court had passed an order directing the State Government to submit recommendations in reply to the Central Ministry of Tribal Affairs preferably within a period of four weeks.

The counsel continued that after the Court order, Diganglung Gangmei had issued a resolution of the Hill Areas Committee on April 20 for urging the Government of Manipur and Government of India to go for an appeal against the order of the High Court of Manipur taking into the account the sentiments and interest/rights of Schedule Tribes.

Seiboi Haokip, president of ATSUM too issued a statement on April 21 which mentioned that April 19 was black letter day for the tribes of Manipur.

The statement had alleged that the High Court of Manipur which directed the State Government to recommend the demand of Meitei for inclusion in the ST list by contradicting the wish of aspiration of the tribal people is unfortunate and deplorable.

It is an ex parte judgment that only heard the interest of the petitioners (Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union), submitted the counsel.

The counsel argued that the resolution passed by Diganglung Gangmei and the statement issued by Seiboi Haokip were against the law and they cannot take such decisions which amount to the purview of the Hill Areas Committee of Manipur.

Further, they are not permitted to circulate such resolutions which are violative of the High Court order.

The counsel further argued that the two respondents had threatened the authority of the High Court and therefore, their actions amount to contempt.

The Court, after hearing the arguments of the petitioner counsel, observed that the April 20 resolution of Diaganglung Gangmei and the press release issued by Seiboi Haokip of ATSUM amounts to criticizing the judgment order passed by the High Court.

Therefore, the Court is inclined to call the respondents before the Court and seek explanations as to why action should not be taken under the Contempt of Court against them, said the Acting Chief Justice.

While issuing notice to both respondents for personal appearances on May 8, the Court directed the Director General of Police to ensure their personal appearances with show cause as to why they should not be punished for criticizing and instigating innocent hill people against the order of the High Court.

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