THE SOCIAL REFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT CLUB BY ITS SECRETARY SHRI LEISHANGTHEM KUMAR MEETAI Vs. THE STATE OF MANIPUR, THROUGH THE SECRETARY (REVENUE) GOVT. OF MANIPUR, IMPHAL & OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution, the petitioner has impugned the order of the Govt. of Manipur, Revenue Department dated 10.1.91 purporting to allot an area of 43. 40 acres of Govt Khas land covered by C.S. Dag No. 1346 of village No. 76 Langthabal Lep of Imphal West-II to the S.S.B., a department under the Central Government, for establishment of a Group Centre.

(2.) Admittedly the land so alloted is Govt. Khas land. The petitioner is a club under the name and style 'The Social Reformation and Development Club and according' to the petitioner the aims and object of the club is to promote physical, mental, moral and cultural development of the community and to abolish all kinds of social vices and in appropriate cases to bring social grievances to the door of justice. The petition has been moved by way of public interest litigation to espouse the public cause and for ventilating the grievances of the public.

(3.) The petitioner's case is that the land so alloted by the impugned order is situated in a hillock, called Heiripok and out of the total area of 49. 46 acres, an area of 6 acres has been under occupation of the water supply department of the Govt. of Manipur. Heiripok hill has been very important for the villagers in and around Langthabal Lep for cultural, religious, economic, environmental and commercial purposes. Every year, the New Years Day is celebrated for Meeteis in the month of April, called 'Cheiraoba' by climbing hillocks situated in the nearby places and since the time immemorial, this Heiripok hill has been used by the villagers of Langthabal Lep, Ningombam and Langthabal Phuramakhong for climbing thereof, celebrating 'Cheiraoba'. The other grounds on which the public interest is sought to be expoused are that rising population having caused extensive deforestation, the people conscious of environment, made plantations in the Heiripok Hill which is the only source of fresh air and the only way to prevent ecological imbalance in the locality. This hillook is also the source of livelihood to certain poverty stricken villagers who takes seasonal fruits grown in the Hill and utlize certain seasonal plants as firewood. Some part of the hillock is also being used as grazing grounds and also for refreshing purpose for certain labour class of people who earn their livelihood by working in brick field, rice mills, saw mills etc. It has also been contended that there are 30 houses in and around the Heiripok Hillock during the last 20 years. A rivulet runs by the western side of the Heiripok Hill and the villagers earn their livelihood by fishing therein.