IMPHAL, July 16: The State government has yet again failed to submit counter affidavit in connection with the erection of churches within the RIMS compound and has instead pleaded for more time today before the division bench comprising of Chief Justice, LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishwar of the High Court of Manipur.
It may be recalled that Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam, a resident of southern Palace Compound, Palace Road Imphal filed a PIL before the court (no 19 of 2013) against illegal encroachment inside the RIMS complex referring to Supreme Court’s ruling against erection of religious structure on educational institute owned by the government.
Subsequently, the case was first heard on October 28, 2013 by the division bench comprising of the then Chief Justice, LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishwar of the High Court of Manipur.
During the hearing, the bench had directed the respondents to submit a counter affidavit in connection with the PIL returnable within two-week time. However, the case has been deferred on several occasions since then.
After the long gap, the case was today listed in the cause list item number 5 before the division bench of Chief Justice, LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishwar of High Court of Manipur.
However, the respondents failed to submit their affidavit as directed and instead pleaded for another two-week time.
Owing to the plea, the court further granted the respondent time.
Representing the respondents were BR Sharma, Sertor Ko, C Komol CGSC, Government Advocate Bimolchand while Advocate Th Manihar Singh represented the petitioner.
The respondents of the case are the State of Manipur represented by the chief secretary, Government of Manipur, Union of India represented by the Union of Health secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, the deputy director i/c RIMS, the commissioner (Revenue), Government of Manipur, the deputy Ccommissioner, Imphal West, the deputy settlement officer (Admn)/APIO, the survey and settlement officer, Directorate of Settlement and Land Revenue, Government of Manipur, the Popular Pisciculture Association, Manipur regd no 3440 of 1981, Purana Rajbari, opposite Kusum Oil pump, Imphal East, the Lamphel Rongmei Baptist Church (LRBC) represented by Namga Gangmei, pastor RIMS complex, Lamphelpat and the Lamphel Baptist Church (LBC) represented by K Jeninshing, pastor RIMS complex Lamphelpat.
