IMPHAL, February 11: The High Court of Manipur has today directed the Assam Rifles authority to appear before the court on February 17 to explain the reason of detaining a Cabinet Minister of the State, even after a statement has been made by the Joint Secretary (Home) and DGP that there is free movement now with the restriction timings having been withdrawn, and also to explain the viable security measures that could be taken up without troubling passengers.
This was stated by Advocate Khaidem Mani during a press conference at his office today.
He further stated that the counsel of the respondents (Union Defence Secretary, Union Home Secretary, CO 9 AR, CO 24, AR, CO 26 AR), assistant solicitor general, Salam Rupchandra appealed the court to complete the proceedings of WP (PIL) 2/2015 stating that AR is not continuing its restrictions and there is a free movement of people and vehicles now.
The restriction imposed along the Imphal-Moreh highway was due to an order by former DGP, Yumnam Joykumar during his tenure that the movement of vehicles from Pallel to Moreh and vice-versa will be limited from 8 am to 12 am for heavy vehicles, and from 8 am to 2 pm for light vehicles, which means that no heavy vehicles would be allowed to proceed from Pallel towards Moreh and from Moreh to Pallel after 12 am, and no light vehicles would be allowed to proceed from Pallel to Moreh and from Moreh to Pallel after 2 pm, Khaidem Mani quoted the counsel of the respondents as arguing in the court.
However, presenting a copy of IFP which contained a report about the Cabinet minister and his entourage having been detained at Khudengthabi, before the division bench of Laxmikanta Mahapatra and Justice N Koteshwor, , he drew their attention pleading to not complete the hearing on the PIL before the AR authorities give valid reason for detaining the Cabinet minister even as a notification of withdrawal of the restriction has been made by State government authorities, Khaidem Mani told media persons.
Khaidem Mani stated that a restriction order was in place earlier but after the bandh imposed at Tengnoupal, the controversial order has been withdrawn. In this regard, a high ranking official must clarify on February 17, he added.