PILs filed against May 20 outrage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2025: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the High Court of Manipur challenging the actions of the 4th Mahar Regiment at Gwaltabi personnel, who ordered the concealment of a Manipur signage on a State Transport bus headed to Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival's opening ceremony on May 20.The petitioners, Y Mangi Singh (68) of Luwangshangbam Mayai and Thoidingjam Manihar (60) of Kongba Kshetri Leikai, have named several high-ranking officials as respondents, including the Secretaries of the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence, the Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Home), DGP Manipur, Security Advisor, Commandant of the 4th Mahar Regiment, Director General of BSF, and Ukhrul Superintendent of Police.

The PIL, filed under Article 226, sought a direction from the Court to the respondents to take prompt action against the personnel of the 4th Mahar Regiment involved in the May 20 incident at Gwaltabi.

Saying that the action of the 4th Mahar Regiment personnel constituted an affront to Manipur's integrity, the petitioners requested the Court to direct the respondents to establish an independent inquiry committee, led by a retired High Court Judge or Sessions Judge, to investigate the action of the defence personnel.

The Imagi Meira too has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the High Court and the Court has directed the issuance of notice to the respondents.

The hearing for this case is scheduled for June 10.The PIL was submitted to the Division bench of Chief Justice K Somashekar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh by Imagi Meira president Thokchom Sujata today.

The respondents of the case are Union of India through the Defence Secretary and the State of Manipur through its Chief Secretary, 4th Mahar Regiment through its Commanding Officer C/O 99 APO and Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur.

The bench, after hearing the petition, directed the issuance of notice to the respondents.

As per the Court's directive, notices will be served to Boboy Potsangbam, Central Government Standing Counsel, and Deputy Advocate General H Devendra, representing the Union of India and the State of Manipur, respectively.

The Court also directed both the petitioner and respondents to file their responses and synoptic notes, scheduling the next hearing for June 10.To prevent future affronts to Manipur's dignity and identity, the petitioner sought a Court-supervised independent inquiry into the Gwaltabi incident.

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