Khunbu Koyangkei and 3 Ors v. State of Manipur and 5 Ors

Order

16.05.2025 [1]

Heard Mr. M. Hemchandra, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. Juno Rahman, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. H. Debendra, learned Dy. A.G. assisted by Ms. Thanyomi Keishing, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State respondent. [2]

The petitioner No. 1 who is the Chief of Kalikalok Village and petitioner Nos. 2, 3 & 4 are the students belonging to the same village approached this Court for issuance of certificates such as tribe, domicile/residential, income and other important certificates to the villagers of Kalikalok village for the purpose of admission, employment and other benefits under various schemes of the Government. [3]

It is stated that since there is dispute about the revenue district of Kalikalok Village (as to whether Chandel or Kakching District), the residents are not able to get certificates for a long period

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of time and it is prayed that without going to the dispute, the villagers are entitled to obtain such certificates. [4]

Learned senior counsel for the petitioners also draws the attention of this Court about the instruction of Sub-Divisional Officer, Chandel, instructing the villagers to apply for such certificates in Kakching District as the villagers are residing within Kakching District. [5]

At this stage, Mr. M. Hemchandra, learned senior counsel for the petitioners, fairly submits that the required certificates may be issued by any authority without going to the dispute about the territorial jurisdiction of the village. [6]

On the other hand, Mr. H. Debendra, learned Dy. A.G., informs this Court that the petitioners and others earlier approached this Court by way of writ petition being WP(C) No. 227 of 2025 for release of payment of wages of MG-NREGS and for issuance of certificates such as tribe, domicile, income, residential, etc. and vide order dated 28.03.2025, this Court directed the State Authority to consider the representation submitted by the petitioners. [7]

Learned Dy. A.G. produces a copy of the order dated

08.05.2025 passed by the Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Chandel stating that appropriate authority to issue the necessary certificate of Kalikalok Villagers is the authority of Kakching District. Accordingly, learned Dy. A.G. submits that a direction may be issued to the Deputy Commissioner, Kakching or any authorized officer to issue certificate as prayed for by the petitioners.

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[8]

Learned Dy. A.G. also refers to the order dated

13.05.2025 passed by this Court in WP(C) No. 57 of 2025 where this Court directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kakching to issue the certificates such as tribe, income, domicile, residential, etc. to the villagers of Kakching Mantak villagers without going to the dispute regarding revenue district as to which the village belongs. [9]

This Court has considered the materials on record and in view of the limited prayer of the petitioners to avail certificates such as tribe, income, domicile, residential, etc. for the purpose of education, employment and other government benefits. The writ petition can be disposed of at this stage by directing Deputy Commissioner, Kakching or any authorized officer to issue the certificates such as tribe, income, residential, etc. to the villagers of Kalikalok Village for the time being. [10]

It is clarified that this Court has not expressed any opinion about the dispute regarding the territorial jurisdiction of Kalikalok Village and the same may be decided by the appropriate authority in appropriate proceeding. [11]

With this observation, writ petition is disposed of. Misc. application is also closed.

JUDGE

Kh. Joshua Maring KH. JOSHUA MARING Date: 2025.05.16 17:40:11 +05'30'

Page 1 Item No. 3-4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL WP(C) No. 391 of 2025 with MC(WP(C) No. 377 of 2025 Khunbu Koyangkei & 3 Ors. …..Petitioner/s - Versus – State of Manipur & 5 Ors. .... Respondent/s BEFORE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA