S. PETER Vs. STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Shri Phungyo Zingkhei, learned Advocate appearing for the petitioner and Shri Vashum, learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents.

(2.) By the instant writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for issuing a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ to direct the respondents and in particular respondent Nos.1 to 4 to shift various offices to the new settlement side for the welfare of the society.

(3.) According to the petitioner, he is the Headman of the Kangkum Village since its establishment and has been performing his duty as the hereditary Chief of the said village as per the Tangkhul Naga Customary Law prevailing at the village. The said village is one of the oldest villages situated at Kamjong District and is governed by the Tribal Customary Law which is recognised by the State under the provisions of the Manipur (Village Authorities in the Hill Areas) Act, 1956. There are about 120 households with a population of about 600 members. The villagers are paying Hill House Tax to the State Government through the Chief of the village. With the time and growth of population, the villagers started having acute water problems and finding the village area unsuitable for rearing mithun and problems of transporting agricultural finished products, an idea was mooted by the villagers to shift the village to a new suitable area within the said village jurisdiction.