The Manipur Home department on Tuesday issued an order, advising the respective deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to take suitable action as per the Supreme Court order issued on September 25 for protection of properties and religious sites of displaced people due to the ongoing turmoil.
The order was issued amid reports of miscreants attempting to occupy properties of displaced people at Moreh on Tuesday morning.
It is reported that a large number of people tried to occupy properties including shops and houses which were vandalised during the ongoing crisis. After the crisis, all the Meitei communities were ethnically cleansed from Moreh by Kuki inhabitants.
Security forces deputed at the border town tried to stop the mob; however, the mob protested instead of cooperating with the security forces. After the incident, security forces have been reinforced in the border town.
The order issued by the state Home department mentioned that the Supreme Court had passed an order dated September 25, in the Special Leave Petition (Civil) Dairy number 19206/2023 (Dinganglung Gangmei versus Mutum Churamani Meeitei and Ors). The Court had directed that the sites of these religious buildings be protected from encroachment and the buildings be protected from damage/destruction.
The SC has given directions as "(ii) The situs of these religious buildings be protected from encroachment and the buildings be protected from damage/ destruction” and “(iii) The Government of Manipur should ensure the protection of the properties of the displaced persons as well as the properties which have been destroyed/ burnt in the violence and prevent their encroachment.
In case any property has been encroached, the encroachers be directed to forthwith remove their encroachment, failing which the person concerned would be liable for contempt of court for non-compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court of India."
It further mentioned that the government of Manipur should ensure the protection of the properties of the displaced persons as well as the properties which have been destroyed/burnt in the violence and prevent their encroachment.
In case any property has been encroached, the encroachers are directed to forthwith remove their encroachment, failing which the person concerned would be liable for contempt of court for non-compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court, it stated.
Meanwhile, district magistrate, Tengnoupal has issued an order on Monday, mentioning that curfew relaxation in Tengnoupal district to facilitate general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items is hereby canceled with immediate effect until further orders for Moreh town as there is likelihood of gathering of public.
The relaxation period for the rest of the district will remain the same from 6 am to 5 pm, it stated.
It also mentioned that the order does not apply to the agencies of the government involved in the enforcement of law and order and maintenance of essential services.
