IMPHAL, November 3: The State government once again failed to submit its counter affidavit in a PIL case regarding erection of churches within the RIMS compound today, resulting in a division bench of the Manipur High Court comprising of Chief Justice Laxmikant Mohapatra and justice N Kotishwar directing the State to submit it within three weeks time.
It may be mentioned that former Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) project director Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam, a resident of southern Palace Compound, Palace Road Imphal had filed the PIL before the court (PIL 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.
The petition had stated in his PIL that the construction of two churches inside the RIMS campus is illegal and as such pleaded the court for a direction to the authority respondent, the director of RIMS for speedy eviction of the un-authorised occupants under the provisions of the Manipur Public Premises (Eviction of un-authorised occupants) Act, 1978.
The PIL has also prayed for providing a temporary space for gathering of family members of patients in the hospital and make earnest prayer to God by Hindus and namaz by Muslims so long as the Christians are performing invocation and benediction with chapel services in the existing churches inside the RIMS campus not to deny equality before law under Article 14 (read with Article 15, 19, 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
Of the 11 respondents, respondent no 10 and 12 namely Lamphel Rongmei Baptist Church and Lamphel Baptist Church had submitted their counter affidavits in the PIL to the court on July 25, 2014 through their respective pastors.
However, respondent no 1 the State of Manipur represented by the Chief Secretary, Respondent No. 5, the Commissioner (Revenue) Government of Manipur, Respondent No. 6 Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West, Respondent No. 7 Deputy Settlement Officer, Respondent No. 8 the Survey and Settlement Officer, Directorate of Settlement & Land Revenue are yet to submit their counter affidavits.
During today’s hearing, advocate Th Manihar Singh represented the petitioner while advocate general Th Ibohal Singh stood for the respondents.