73 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL WP(C) No.548 of 2025 Longjam Romesh Meitei … Petitioner -Versus- State of Manipur & 6 Ors … Respondents BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.GUNESHWAR SHARMA 18.8.2025 Heard Mr.S.Rupachandra, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr.W.Ashok kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.H.Samarjit, learned Government Advocate assisted by Mr.Bheigya Meitei, learned Jr.Govt counsel on behalf of the State respondents. By the present writ petition, the petitioner approached this Court for payment of compensation to the tune of Rs.2,49,11,302/- (Rupees two crore forty nine lakh eleven thousand three hundred and two only). The prayer in the writ petition read as under: “i. .. .. .. ii. to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondents to compensate the petitioner for the total loss of Rs.2,49,11,302/- (Rupees two crore forty nine lakh eleven thousand three hundred and two only) incurred due to loss of construction vehicles/machinery during the May 2023 Manipur crisis; iii. to direct the respondents to take expeditious steps to trace, recover the lost vehicles and machinery for which the said FIR is lodged; iv. to direct the respondents to dispose of the representation dated 7.10.2024 annexure A/4 to the petition submitted by the petitioner’ v. to pass any appropriate order/direction which the Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper to meet the ends of justice.” It is the case of the petitioner that he is a contractor registered with the Public Works Department, Government of Manipur and has been executing road works before the outbreak of civil unrest in Manipur, particularly in Churachandpur District, Manipur. In the May, 2025 violence his vehicles and other equipment were damaged and destroyed by the miscreants. Petitioner submitted various representations to the Chief Engineer, Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency (MSSRDA) RED, Rural Engineering Department and to the Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East with reminders and FIR in this case has been lodged in Irilbung PS being FIR No.0(8)2023 IBG-PS under Section 400/379 IPC and 25 (1-C) Arms Act. It is submitted that the writ petition may be disposed of by directing the Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East to consider the representation submitted by the petitioner for grant of compensation. On the other hand, Mr.H.Samarjit, learned Government Advocate pointed out that the place where the incident took place is in the Churachandpur District it may not be proper to direct the D.C, Imphal East to consider the representation for grant of compensation and the petitioner may be permitted to approach the appropriate forum for his grievance. At this stage, Mr.S.Rupachadra, learned senior counsel for the petitioner submits that he may be permitted to submit comprehensive and fresh representation to the Chief Secretary, State Government. Recording the submission made at the Bar this writ petition is disposed of by giving liberty to the petitioner to submit a comprehensive representation to the Chief Secretary, Govt of Manipur, within a period of one week from the date of receipt of this order. Upon receipt of such fresh representation, the same shall be considered and disposed of by a speaking order within a further period of four months. The writ petition is disposed of. It is made clear that this Court does not express any opinion on the merit of the case. JUDGE Priyojit RAJKUMA R PRIYOJIT SINGH Digitally signed by RAJKUMAR PRIYOJIT SINGH Date: 2025.08.19 12:08:36 +05'30'