WP(C)/878/2025 of Ayekpam Thoibi and 2 Others Vs State of Manipur and 3 Others on 6 November 2025

ORDER

07.11.2025

Heard Mr. Ch. Ngongo, learned sr. counsel assisted by Ms. S. Gangarani, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. S. Niranjan, learned GA for the State respondents.

By the present petition, the petitioners who are relatives of the persons died in encounter with the security forces on 12.11.1978 at Kameng, Imphal West pray for permission to offer floral tribute on 12.11.2025. It is stated that a memorial stone has been erected at the place of the incidence and the families of deceased persons are paying homage annually on 12th November every years with the permission of this Court.

It is stated that in similar circumstances, this Court has permitted the relatives of the deceased persons died in encounter and the relatives of the deceased persons will be formally tribute on the particular date at Cheiraoching every year.

The learned sr. counsel for the petitioners draws the attention of this Court to the order dated 01.04.2024 passed by this Court in W.P. (C) No. 226 of 2024 and order dated 03.04.2025 in W.P. (C) No. 266 of 2025 where similarly situated family members and relatives of the deceased persons are permitted to perform floral tribute in loving memory of the deceased persons subject to certain conditions. +05'30'

Mr. Ch. Ngongo, learned sr. counsel for the petitioners has also submitted that the petitioners have already made representations dated 16.07.2025 to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Manipur, the Special Secretary (Home), Govt. of Manipur, the District Magistrate, Imphal West and The Superintendent of Police, Imphal West with a prayer for allowing to do floral tribute on dated 12.11.2025 from 07:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the memorial site. Similarly, reminder representations dated 08.09.2025 have also been submitted and both representations have not been considered by the State Authorities till date. It is also submitted that the State Authorities might impose restrictions preventing the petitioners, their family members and relatives to perform the floral tribute on 12.11.2025.

In the circumstances, they approach this Court for a permission to allow them to perform floral tribute on 12.11.2025 from 07:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the memorial Tomb at Kameng, Imphal West. It is submitted that the writ petition may be disposed of by permitting the petitioners and relatives of the deceased persons to perform floral tribute on 12.11.2025 at the memorial tomb without any interference from the State Authorities.

Mr. S. Niranjan, learned GA for the State respondents submits that in view of the limited prayer of the petitioners, the writ petition may be disposed of by directing the petitioners and relative of the deceased persons not to make unwanted situation at the time of performing the floral tribute.

This Court has perused the materials on record and the submissions made at the bar.

The writ petition is disposed of by permitting the petitioners, relatives and families of the deceased persons and well wishers to perform floral tribute on 12.11.2025 from 07:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the memorial tomb constructed on the hillock of Kameng, Imphal West, Manipur subject to the conditions that the same shall not prevent the State authority from taking any appropriate steps towards the maintenance of law and order in the area. The petitioners are also directed to make floral tribute ceremony as simple due to present law and order situation.

With these observations, the W.P. (C) No. 878 of 2025 is disposed of.

Furnish a copy of this order to the learned counsel appearing for the parties in the course of the day through Whatsapp or any other available mode.

JUDGE

Thoiba