The Manipur High Court has directed the state authorities to file a detailed affidavit regarding the subsequent incidents that took place after the passing an order for protection of houses and properties and to prevent miscreants from burning them down in Moreh.
The HC also directed the Union of India to file a detailed affidavit through the concerned Commanding Officer of Central forces posted at Moreh town as to what were the lapses on the part of the security personnel which led to the subsequent events.
The HC passed an interim order for protection through a PIL filed by one Khumanthem Devabrata Singh, representing a large number of people belonging to Meitei, Tamil and other minor communities who have been evacuated from Moreh in the wake of the recent clashes.
During the hearing, the petitioner filed an affidavit stating that after passing of the interim order dated May 15, 2023 directing the authorities to provide adequate security to protect houses and other properties belonging to the people who have been evacuated from Moreh town in the ethnic clashes, some miscreants have burnt down many houses. It has also been submitted that the said subsequent incident happened due to lapses of the security forces including State forces and the Central Forces posted there.
Additional advocate general placed a letter dated May 23, 2023 from the Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, stating inter-alia that as per interim direction given by the High Court, adequate security arrangement has been made by the District Police, Tengnoupal, by deploying three Coys of CAPF (BSF), Assam Rifles Moreh Battalion and Civil Police to provide security to protect the houses and properties of the people, who have been evacuated from Moreh town due to present crisis.
Before the HC, DSGI also placed before this Court a letter dated May 19, 2023 from the under secretary to the government of India stating inter-alia that the issue of providing adequate security comes under the domain of the state government and that the government of India have been already providing necessary assistance to the state government and that the Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI, does not intend to make a separate appearance in the case.
