Moirangthem Maipak Singh vs State of Manipur

KH. Nobin Singh, J

(Video Conference)

Heard Smt. H. Bisheshwari, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Shri N. Kumarjit, learned Advocate General, Manipur.

This PIL has been filed by a resident of Chalou Maning Leikai, contending that after the said village having been declared as a Containment Zone, no

water is available for the reason that the Water Tankers are reluctant to come to the area for supply of water. On the strength of the said contention,

a prayer has been made that the respondents be directed to comply with the interim guidelines issued by the WHO.

The issue involved herein, in fact, relates to the said village only but in view of the problems arising out of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the State, the

scope of this PIL has been expanded to cover all the areas and in particular, the Containment Zone areas only in the State of Manipur. On 28-07-2021

when the matter was listed for consideration, this Court while issuing notice to the respondents passed an interim order directing that the Deputy

Commissioner, Imphal East shall be instructed by the State Government to supply water at the expense of the residents.

An affidavit on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East has been filed which is on record. It has been submitted by the learned Advocate

General that the affidavit on behalf of the respondent Nos. 2 and 3 has also been filed on Saturday i.e., 31-07-2021 but the same is not on record. On

perusal of the affidavit filed by the Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East, it is seen that the issue involved herein has been settled through dialogue and

discussion which is not disputed by Smt. H. Bisheshwari, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and therefore, this PIL stands disposed of in

respect of the issue relating to the said village and no further direction is required to be issued by this Court.

As regards the other containment zone areas in Manipur, this Court while disposing of this PIL, is of the view that the following directions can be

issued, which this court does as under:

(i) The Department of PHED, Government of Manipur is directed to publish the contact numbers of the concerned Executive Engineers, PHED in the

local dailies within a week from today;

(ii) If any person who resides in any containment zone area, is in need of water on account of the fact that the area has been declared as the

containment zone area, may contact the Executive Engineer, PHED of the concerned area over the telephone number notified and make a request for

supply of water;

(iii) In the event of such a request being made by any person from any of the containment zone areas, the Executive Engineer, PHED of the

concerned area shall supply the water for which the cost is to be borne by the residents of the area.

Copies of this order shall be sent to the counsels appearing for the parties through their WhatsApp/e-mail.