SC disposes petition regarding restrictions on Mao community

May 9, 2023 37 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | May 9

The Supreme Court on Thursday disposed the matter pertaining to road blockage of National Highway No 2 in Southern Nagaland preventing Mao community of Manipur to enter Southern Nagaland after observing that the issue seemed to have been resolved.

A bench led by the Chief Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice JB Pardiwala observed that “since at this stage, the problem seems to have been resolved, it is not necessary to keep the proceedings pending any further.”

The SC however noted that in case of any recurring issue, liberty was granted to the petitioner or any aggrieved person to move the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nagaland or, as the case may be, the Ministry of Home Affairs in the North East Division so that appropriate steps can be taken to resolve any recurring issue. It said that the petitioner would be at liberty to move the Manipur High Court for any other reliefs.

The petitioner earlier sought directions to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Governments of Nagaland and Manipur to take appropriate steps to protect and safeguard the freedom of movement of persons belonging to the Mao community along National Highway No 2 (erstwhile National Highway No 39) in Southern Nagaland.

After notice was issued in these proceedings, the Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the Union of India, informed the Court on April 5 that the grievance was being looked into at an appropriate level and a decision would be arrived at.
During the course of the hearing, the order stated that Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General apprised the Court of the instructions which have been received from the Director (NE), North East Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It read that “State Govt of Nagaland has now informed (by letter dated1.5.2023) that several measures having been taken, including strengthening of security deployment in those areas, enhancement of highway patrol teams, holding regular consultation with the Civil Societies Organizations etc., so that free movement of people of Manipur passing through the State is not hindered and no member of Mao community of Manipur put to inconvenience for harassment in any manner while moving through Kohima. Further, the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) on 21st March 2023 has also given a call for lifting the restriction imposed by it on the movement of Mao Community within the Kohima district. Thus, presently there aren’t any kind of restraints on the free movement of people of Manipur through the State.”

The Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submitted that though as a result of the intervention of the Court at this stage, the issue has been presently resolved, it was festering for over a decade, as a consequence of which the free movement of persons belonging to the community in question was being thwarted.

Manipur govt continues occupation in Kezol forest
While the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) had on March 21, 2023 lifted the National Highway road blockage in its jurisdiction following the advice given by its parent body, the Angami Public Organisation (APO), the Manipur government however continues to block entry of Kezoltsa/Kozürü/Kazing from Nagaland side and continues occupation of the reserve area with its armed forces.

According to information from reliable sources, the road entering from Nagaland via Khuzama village, under Kohima District to Kezoltsa has been blocked with iron wired fencing. The occupation of Manipur Government’s armed forces also continued. Mention maybe made that CrPC 144 is imposed within the heart of Kezoltsa.

While the Angami Public Organization (APO) informed that it was in talks with the disputing parties formally, the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO), Mao Council and Maram Khullen over the issue, it said that such occupation and imposition of CrPC 144 poses hindrance to any intervention.