HC serves notice on Govt on PIL
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2020: A division bench of the High Court of Manipur has issued notices to the State Government following a PIL against the prohibition of activities which have otherwise been exempted from the purview of the ongoing lockdown.

The notice is returnable within June 2.The PIL was filed by one Huidrom Rajeswar of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai through senior Advocate M Hemchandra against the State of Manipur represented by the Chief Secretary and five others.

The PIL has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution to allow all activities that are exempted/permitted as per an order issued by the Chief Secretary on May 18.It also prayed the High Court to direct the respondent not to prohibit/obstruct/hinder/impede while carrying out activities which are permitted by the particular order so as to improve the State's economy.

Even though several activities/sectors have been exempted from the purview of the lockdown by the May 18 order, the Government has been prohibiting the exempted activities too which is not only violation/misuse of office by the respondent particularly Home Department but also gross violation of the right to life and right to livelihood enshrined in the Constitution, said the PIL.

The division bench comprising of Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Kh Nobin heard the PIL through video conferencing and heard senior Advocate M Hemchandra and Lenin Hijam Additional Advocate General for State Government respondents.

The Court observed that the issue raised in the PIL is that while the Government order dated May 18 provides that specified activities are prohibited throughout the State of Manipur and certain activities are permitted from May 18 to May 31, the Government however also indicates that there will be total curfew in Imphal city and other district headquarters till May 31 and this conundrum according to the petitioner creates difficulty for the citizens and requires to be clarified.

The Additional Advocate General on the other hand sought time to clarify on the issue and added that the State will consider it while issuing subsequent orders in this regard.

Division bench after hearing both parties issued a notice returnable by June 2 .

The matter has been listed for further hearing on the same date.

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