Advocate general of the High Court of Manipur has informed that an advertisement will be issued within 10 days for filling up essential posts in the Manipur Human Rights Commission, as the sole member appointed earlier is demitting office on August 31 upon completing his term.
The advocate general further stated that the process of appointment to the commission would be completed within 2 weeks thereafter.
Advocate general submitted the statements before the division bench comprising chief justice Sanjay Kumar and justice MV Muralidaran of the High Court of Manipur in connection with the public interest litigation filed by Urikhimbam Nobokishore for directing the state government and concern authorities for appointment of the chairperson and 1 (one) member (Judicial) as mandated under the protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and also for appointment of the necessary officers and the staffs of the MHRC under Manipur Human Rights Commission Service Rules, 2021.
According to the petition, the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) was established on June 27, 1998 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 with the appointment of chairperson and members for its first term. The second term was functional for the period from May, 2005 to May, 2010. The present term of the MHRC is functional from August 2018. The second and the present term were constituted only after the direction given by the high court. With an order from the HC on January 1, 2018 have appointed Khaidem Mani as lone member of the MHRC and he was authorised to act as chairperson. However, he left his office on August 31, 2022.
The commissioner (law and legislative affairs) has issued notification on August 9, 2018 for filling up the chairperson and one member (Judicial) of the MHRC. However, till date no appointment of either chairperson or 1 (one) member has been made. Moreover, the MHRC has failed to appoint required numbers of officers and staff despite having the Manipur Human Rights Commission Service Rules, 2021.
The HC issued a notice of reply to the state government and concerned authorities on July 15.
On August 15, advocate general sought some more time to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to augment the infrastructure of the Manipur Human Rights Commission and to fill up vacant posts.
On August 31, the advocate general stated the HC for advertisement for filling up essential posts in the commission.
