The Centre has assured the Supreme Court that it would look into the issues and grievances raised in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with regard to the “ban on entry and movement of Mao community members by Southern Angami community members namely Southern Angami People Organisation (SAPO) and Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO)”.
On April 5, Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta assured the Supreme Court that the issues/grievances raised in the PIL are being discussed and looked into at the appropriate level and some decision is likely to be arrived at within three weeks.
The PIL was being heard before the Supreme Court of Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala. The Solicitor General sought three weeks’ time and accordingly, the Supreme Court fixed the next hearing of the matter on May 4.
In connection with the petition filed by Khuraijam Athouba before the Supreme Court of India (on March 13, 2023) regarding the ban on entry and movement of Mao community members by Southern Angami community members namely Southern Angami People Organisation (SAPO) and Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), the third hearing of the matter was held on April 5.
A release from the Convenor, Mao Imphal Market Coordination Committee, Imphal, Khuraijam Athouba, informed that apart from raising specific grievances of the Mao community members, the Public Interest Litigation has also raised other important issues of public importance and has sought the Supreme Court’s appropriate directions to the Central government and the concerned state governments of Nagaland and Manipur on several issues.
The PIL calls for taking up appropriate steps against all persons or organizations responsible for the various acts of violence during the ban on entry and movement of Mao Tribe members through Southern Angami settlement areas in Nagaland and most specifically, act on the FIR(s) lodged with the concerned police stations in Nagaland.
It also asks to extend necessary relief/compensation to affected people, who have lost assets and business during the blockade.
The PIL further called to declare the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) and the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) as unlawful associations under Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
It demanded judicial/administrative inquiries into the various lapses on the part of the law enforcement agencies and administrative machinery during the ban on movement and entry of Mao community members through Southern Angami settlement areas.
The PIL further sought to direct the Central government and the concerned state governments to secure national highways in Manipur, Nagaland in particular and the Northeast in general so that no such act or blockade is repeated in future.
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