LAMKHOSAT LHOUVUM Vs. STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. D. Julius Riamei, learned counsel for the petitioners.

(2.) The petitioner No. 1 is the Pastor of Motbung Baptist Church and the petitioner No. 2 is the Chief of Motbung Village. By the present petition, the petitioners challenged the eviction notice dtd. 29/11/2025 issued by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Saitu-Gamphazol for demolition of the portion of Motbung Baptist Church, Motbung Village Kangpokpi for which compensation has already been received by the petitioners. In terms of the award dtd. 13/1/2023 passed by the learned Deputy Commissioner/ CALA, Kangpokpi District, Manipur under Ss. 3G and 3H of the National Highways Act, 1956, compensation was granted for the affected structures for development of National Highway No. 2 which is stretched from chainage Km 287 to Km 308.46. Annexure-1 of the award at Serial No. 49 indicates a total compensation of Rs.2,09,99,262.00 as compensation for the standing structure of the affected portion of the Baptist church. The petitioners submitted a representation undated to the Deputy Commissioner/CALA, Kangpokpi District, Manipur to spare the Church building from the expansion of NH-2. The petitioners have pointed out to a letter dtd. 22/12/2025 issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi to the SDO, Saitu Gamphazol and GM, PMU-Senapati, NHIDCL for joint demarcation of the standing structure on 5/1/2026. It is stated that the joint demarcation could not be done on that date. The petitioners are basically challenging the eviction notice on the ground that the whole structure of the church was not affected.

(3.) Issue notice.