Imphal, September 23: The Manipur High Court has asked the Central and State governments to file counter-affidavits in a petition seeking compensation for Kuki women allegedly injured by paramilitary forces during a protest in Saibol village, Kangpokpi district. The protest, which took place last year, was against the alleged forceful occupation of community bunkers by security personnel.
The petitioner organisation has requested multiple reliefs, including registration of FIR, grant of prosecution sanction, SIT-led investigation, and compensation for the victims. However, the bench of Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma issued notice only to the State respondents regarding the compensation plea. The Court deferred notice to individual CRPF personnel, citing concerns that it could affect the morale of other security forces operating in Manipur.
The Advocate General and Central Government Counsel submitted that only official respondents should contest the case, and instructions would be sought for excluding individual personnel from the writ petition. Senior Advocate Anand Grover, representing the petitioner, agreed to the arrangement, allowing the Court to pass appropriate orders.
The Court directed official respondents to file counter-affidavits within three weeks and rejoinder affidavits, if any, within two weeks. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on October 17.
