Imphal, May 30 (DIPR) : Taking cognizance of the suffering caused to the public by the frequent imposition of bandhs and blockades, the State Cabinet today decided to enact a new law to declare bandhs and blockades illegal.
The decision of the Cabinet was taken after considering the judgments passed by the High Courts of Kerala, West Bengal and Meghalaya declaring all such bandhs and blockades illegal and to fix responsibilities on the sponsors and organisers of such bandhs and blockades for public inconvenience and damage to properties.
The State Cabinet also considered enacting the law providing recovery of cost of all the damages to properties from the sponsors and organisers and also depriving the organisers and persons involved, if convicted, from getting entry into Government employment and from getting any benefits under the Government schemes in addition to criminal proceedings to be instituted.
The Cabinet observed that calling bandh and blockade is an invasion of the Fundamental Rights of the people guaranteed under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
The Supreme Court of India has declared bandh as unconstitutional and illegal, and to recoup any loss suffered by the citizens from the sponsors and organisers of the bandh.
If the sponsors or organisers of the bandh think they have the license to take the law into their hands, the State Government shall have to mandatorily take action against them in public interest, the Cabinet observed.
Manipur has been reeling frequent bandhs and blockades down the years.
Source: The Sangai Express
