SC asks Solicitor General to look into issue; fixes next hearing on March 20
DIMAPUR, MARCH 13 (MExN): A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court with regard to the current blockade and quit notice imposed/served by the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) on the Mao community of Manipur.
The PIL was filed under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution by Khurajam Athouba, current Convener of the Mao-Imphal Market Co-Ordination Committee and Vice President, IPSA. The first hearing of the petition was held today before a 3 Judge Bench of the SC comprising of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Naramsimha and Justice JB Pardiwala.
A press release from the petitioner informed that the 3 Judge Bench of the SC has asked the Union of India through the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta to “look into the issue of the complete ban on settlement, residency, trade & commerce and movement of the Mao Tribe members through the Southern Angami Tribe settlement areas in the State of Nagaland and through National Highway No.2 (Asian Highway No.1).”
The petitioner stated since December 15, 2022, the SAPO and the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) have imposed a blockade on settlement, residency, trade & commerce and movement of Mao Tribe members through Southern Angami Tribe settlement areas in Nagaland and “various incidents of violence (burning of vehicles, harassment to Mao Tribe members etc.) have occurred.”
“Such a blockade and incidents of violence have been sought to be linked by the Southern Angami Tribe members to their alleged traditional and tribal rights over the 32.29 sq. km. Kozürü Forest and to two-third of the Dzuko valley (11.28 sq. kms.), which are otherwise within the undisputed constitutional boundary of Manipur,” the petitioner said.
Though efforts have been made in the past to resolve the issue through tribal bodies, nothing material has come about till now, the petitioner added. It was further stated that neither the State of Nagaland nor the Union of India has taken steps to safeguard the basic fundamental rights of the Mao Tribe for the past 105 days and it was in such circumstances that it was considered necessary to approach the highest Court of India for its due intervention for speedy justice.
“Most specifically, the embargo on Mao Tribe people for access to National Highway No.2 (Asian Highway No.1) has severely affected movement of Mao Tribe members and their business,” the petitioner added.
The PIL was filed in February, 2023 “for due protection of the inviolable Fundamental Rights of the Mao Tribe people by giving adequate security protection, due compensation of Mao Tribe victims of the unlawful acts of SAPO and SAYO and for declaration of these two organizations as unlawful associations under Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.”
It was informed that the Court has fixed the matter on March 20. The Solicitor General has been specifically asked to render all possible assistance.
“It is expected that the instant Public Interest Litigation could become a precedent from the point of possible legal ramifications on highway blockades by vested groups and serious inconvenience caused to the public,” the petitioner added.
