Dispute over 20 villages: will it be Chandel or Thoubal?

IMPHAL, May 12: There has been a controversy over a total of 20 villages between the adjoining districts, the  Thoubal district and the Chandel district since many years back in court. A case which came up at the Gauhati High court/Imphal Bench is now pending with High Court of Manipur. The case which was filed by Ksh. Chhatradhani Singh along with other three persons making a total of 4 petitioners in 2012 is Writ petition (criminal) No. 675 (WP(c) No. 675 of 2010). Advocate M Hemchandra is on behalf of petitioners while respondents in the case include the state of Manipur and 7 others. Among them are Respondent No. 3, Director of Census operation, Manipur and Respondent No. 4, the Principal census officer /Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal etc. with Government Advocate and Central Government Standing Counsel representing Respondents.

According to a source, based on official documents with regard to the case No. WP (C) No. 675 of 2010, the villages involved in the controversy between Thoubal and Chandel districts include Tuishimi, Laphupokpi/Wajang, Kotlenphai, Molnoi, Maringphai, SP Saichang, Iland, View Maram, Nungourok, Koraopokpi, Khangshim, Laijang, Mantak, Aimol Khullen, Aimol Khunou, Kangoi, Maring Phunal, Tonsen and Toupokpi.

The source further said that Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal District and the concerned departments prepared all the paper works of official documentation including land revenue record and premium of 20 villages and they are still doing it. However, as per the census operation report of Government of India, the said 20 villages are under the Chandel District. Petitioners, Ksh Chhatradhari Singh and 3 others in the case challenged the census report of the Government of India claiming that 20 villages should be included in the census report of the Thoubal district.

Gauhati High Court/Imphal Bench made a ruling following the hearing conducted by Justice T Nandakumar at this court before the High court of Manipur was set up, “Considering the importance of the matter in the present writ petition, learned AG, Manipur had been requested to take instruction today. Today learned AG Manipur submits at the Bar that serious matters involved in the present writ petition had been discussed at the highest level and prompt steps are being taken up for deciding the issues involved in the present writ petition i.e. census operation in respect of the 12 villages and other eight villages.

Regarding the census operation report of Government of India being challenged by four petitioners in court, the court asked the counsels of the concerned respondents to file counter affidavits but as per the directive of the court, the respondents have not filed counter affidavits to date.

However amidst the case over the controversy of 20 villages between the two districts being pending with the court, a report on new census operation was published only a few days back. As per the report on census operation, 3/4 villages out of 20 villages under the Chandel district have been covered by the Thoubal district.

This act is sub judice while the case is pending with the case. It is learnt that regarding the matter, the petitioners are ready to file a new petition with the court.