Imphal: Manipur government on Tuesday directed all district officials and police to protect the properties of displaced persons.
The directive came following a tense situation at the border town of Moreh as large numbers of people tried to occupy the deserted places which belonged to a different ethnic group.
T. Ranjit Singh, Commissioner (Home), said in an order that the Supreme Court of India passed orders dated Sep 25 last in the Special Leave Petition (Civil) Diary No.19206/2023 [Dinganglung Gangmei Versus Mutum Churamani Meetei & Ors] with connected cases giving directions . It was ordered that religious buildings be protected from encroachment and the buildings be protected from damage/ destruction.
It was further directed 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 should 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 was added.
The state government said it views the matter very seriously with utmost sensitivity as any such incident may further ignite or aggravate law and order situation in the State.
All Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police have been advised suitably to take action and to implement the aforesaid directions of the Supreme Court of India it was added.
The order further said, ”Now, therefore, the Governor of Manipur is also pleased to reiterate for general public/ Organizations that nobody without any exception shall violate the orders passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India as mentioned in Para No.1 under any circumstances.
Anybody found violating the same shall be booked under relevant provision of law of the land for the time being in force and shall be liable for contempt of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The State Government also appeals to all concerned including public functionaries to comply with the Court’s orders dated 25-09-2023 to avoid any Contempt proceedings.”
