Shri Lamthaka Korungkhul and 23 Ors v. State of Manipur

O R D E R [1] Heard Ms. K. Lungchuithailiu, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr. H. Debendra, learned senior counsel and Deputy AG assisted by Mr. A. Bheigya Meitei, learned counsel appearing for the respondents. [2] At the outset, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that for redressing the grievances of the petitioners raised in the present writ petition, the petitioner No. 1 have already approached the Divisional Forest Officer, Thoubal Forest Division, Manipur (respondent No. 1) by submitting a representation dated 15-06-2019 and that the said representation is still pending for consideration and disposal by the respondent No. 1 till today. [3] The learned counsel submitted that the petitioners will be satisfied for the time being if the present writ petition is disposed of by directing the Divisional Forest Officer, Thoubal Forest Division, Manipur, to consider the representation dated 15-06-2019 submitted by the petitioners on its own merit and strictly in terms of the applicable act

and rules and to dispose of the same by issuing a speaking order within a stipulated period. [4] Mr. H. Debendra, learned senior counsel and Deputy AG appearing for the respondents fairly submitted that as the prayer made on behalf of the petitioners is confined to the consideration and disposal of the representation submitted by the petitioner No. 1, he has no objection in disposing of this writ petition as prayed for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners. [5] Considering the submission made by the counsel appearing for the parties and the simple and innocuous prayer made on behalf of the petitioners, this court is of the considered view that it will be in the interest of justice to issue the following directions:-

(i) The Divisional Forest Officer, Thoubal Forest Division, Manipur, is hereby directed to consider the representation dated 15-06-2019 submitted by the petitioners on its own merit and strictly in terms of the applicable law and to dispose of the same by issuing a speaking order;

(ii) It is made clear that the whole process should be completed within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order; and

(iii) It is also made clear that any decision/ order passed by the respondent No. 1 in connection with the said representation

should be communicated to the petitioner No. 1 within a period of two weeks from the date of taking such a decision.

With the aforesaid directions, the present writ petition is disposed of.

JUDGE Devananda

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL 1. Shri. Lamthaka Korungkhul, aged about 38 years, S/o (L) Jonathan, resident of Koijam Maring village, Tengnoupal District, Manipur - 795135. 2. Shri. L. Jonathan, aged about 58 years, S/o (L) Kodar Maring, 3. Shri. L. Romenson, aged about 28 years, S/o L. Leikham 4. Shri. L. Leikham, aged about 67 years, S/o (L) Meidun Maring, 5. Shri. M. Morangshing, aged about 30 years, S/o (L) M. Metha 6. Shri. Kh. Medew, aged about 26 years, S/o Kh. Kohsil, 7. Shri. D. Mothil, aged about 70 years, S/o (L) Morung Maring, 8. Shri. L. Amos, aged about 42 years, S/o L. Leikham Maring, IN. 2 SHOUGRAKPAM DEVANANDA SINGH Date: 2026.06.16 16:57:37 +05'30' 9. Shri. R. Angwa, aged about 26 years, S/o (L) Kodar Maring, 10. Shri. D. Jonah, aged about 54 years, S/o D. Kopham, resident of Koijam Maring village, Tengnoupal District, Manipur - 795135. 11. Shri. M. Angkhul, aged about 66 years, S/o (L) Leikham 12. Shri. M. Momocha, aged about 35 years, S/o Korang Maring, 13. Shri. L. Modun, aged about 55 years, S/o (L) Morungpham, 14. Shri. D. Kodang, aged about 28 years, S/o D. Morungpham, 15. Shri. D.W. Morungpham, aged about 66 years, S/o (L) Modar 16. Shri. Kh. Sunil, aged about 35 years, S/o (L) Leitol Maring, 17. Shri. D. Korang Singh, aged about 28 years, S/o D. Kopham, 18. Shri. M. Kopham, aged about 68 years, S/o (L) Monthang Maring, resident of Koijam Maring village. Tengnoupal District, Manipur - 795135. 19. Shri. M. Angwa, aged about 42 years, S/o M. Korang, resident of Koijam Maring village, Tengnoupal District, Manipur - 795135. 20. Shri. D. Joshua, aged about 49 years, S/o (L) D. Mothil, 21. Shri. M. Samson, aged about 38 years, S/o (L) Morung Maring, 22. Shri. D. Leikham Maring, aged about 43 years, S/o (L) Morung Manipur 795135. 23. Shri. D. Leirung Maring, aged about 56 years, S/o (L) Mosangphun, a resident of Laijing Minou village, P.O. Pallel, P.S. Tengnoupal, Tengnoupal District, Manipur - 795135. 24. Shri. Kh. Mecha Maring, aged about 54 years, S/o (L) Angnai Maring, a resident of Koijam village, P.O. Pallel P.S. Tengnoupal, District, Manipur - 795135. … Petitioners -Versus- 1. The State of Manipur, represented by the Divisional Forest Officer, Thoubal Forest Division, Thoubal, Athokpam, Manipur - 795138. 2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF, Govt. of Manipur, Sajenthong, Imphal, Manipur - 795005. 3. The Chief Conservator of Forests, TP-I, Government of Manipur, Sajenthong, Imphal, Manipur - 795005. 4. The Conservator of Forests, Central Forest Circle, Govt. of Manipur, Sajenthong, Imphal, Manipur - 795005. … Respondents B E F O R E HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AHANTHEM BIMOL SINGH For the petitioners :: Ms. K. Lungchuithailiu, Advocate For the respondents :: Mr. H. Debendra, Sr. Advocate & Deputy AG asstd. by Mr. A. Bheigya Meitei, Advocate Date of hearing & order :: 16-06-2026