Despite the Manipur High Court order for protection of properties belonging to Meitei, Tamil and other minor communities who have been evacuated from Moreh, Tengnoupal district, in the wake of the recent clashes, the state government has failed to protect such, a petitioner has claimed.
The HC passed an interim order for protection of the properties 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.
The petitioner, in his affidavit, stated that the state government is trying to escape its responsibility to protect lives and properties of victims in the violence-hit Moreh town of the state.
It has been strenuously submitted by the senior counsel, appearing for the petitioner, that after passing of the two interim orders by the High Court directing the respondents to provide adequate security at the Moreh for safeguarding the abandoned houses and properties of the displaced people, there has been two instances of burning down of about 20 empty houses and looting of properties belonging to the displaced people.
The learned senior counsel also submitted that there has been total failure and lapses on the part of the security forces stationed at Moreh to safeguard the properties of the displaced people despite the order passed by the High Court.
The senior counsel further submitted that, in the affidavit filed by the State authorities and the Central Government, nothing has been explained about the lapses on the part of the security forces in safeguarding the houses and properties of the displaced people.
Further, he prayed that the commanding officer of AR, in-charge of Moreh Town and SP of Tengnoupal district and other responsible officers of Home Ministry, Union of India, as well as Home Department of Manipur be directed to appear in person before to explain the lapse of the security leading to failure of complying with direction of the HC.
It may be noted that the 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.
During the hearing, additional Advocate General appearing for the State authorities seeks two weeks’ time to allow the State authorities to file detailed affidavit regarding the steps taken with regard to burning down of the houses and looting the properties of the displaced people in the Moreh town as well as the lapses on the part of the security forces with regard to their failure to ensure the protection and safeguarding those houses and properties.
