Southern Angami Public Organisation's Blockades Against Mao Tribe In Nagaland Removed: MHA Informs Supreme Court

In the matter pertaining to the infringement of freedom of movement of the Mao Community of Manipur caused by the blockade and quit notice imposed by the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) of Nagaland, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that as per his instructions, the issue had been resolved.The blockade of NH-39 in Southern Nagaland had been imposed since December 15, 2022 by the SAPO on settlement, residency, trade and commerce, and movement of Mao tribe members through Southern Angami Tribe settlement areas in Nagaland. Against the same, a PIL had been moved before the Supreme Court and was being heard by a bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala.At the outset, SG Tushar Mehta informed the court that he had received a note from Union Home Ministry, according to which, the blockades had been withdrawn now and there was no hindrance of movement anymore. Upon noting the progress reached in the matter, CJI DY Chandrachud, dictating the order, said–"SG Tushar Mehta has submitted instructions received from Director (North East) Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Though as a result of this intervention, issue has been resolved, petitioners state that it was festering for a decade as a result of which their free movement was thwarted. Since the problem is resolved, we don't find it necessary to keep the proceedings pending."However, keeping in mind the possibility of the issues to recur, the court added–"Should there be recurring issues, we grant petitioners liberty to approach the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nagaland or the Ministry of Home Affairs in the North East Division so that appropriate steps are taken to resolve any recurrent issues."The petitioners were also granted liberty to move the Manipur High Court in case any further issues arise.Case Title: Khuraijam Athouba Singh v. UoI And Ors. WP(C) No. 311/2023Click Here To Read/Download Order

Southern Angami Public Organisation's Blockades Against Mao Tribe In Nagaland Removed: MHA Informs Supreme Court

Padmakshi Sharma

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