105-107 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL WP(C) No.420 of 2025 with MC (WP(C)) No.402 of 2025 with MC (WP(C)) No.625 of 2025 Keipha Momon & 30 Ors … Petitioners -Versus- State of Manipur & 2 Ors … Respondents BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.GUNESHWAR SHARMA 14.10.2025 Heard Mr.M.Hemchandra, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr.M.Rendy, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr.S.Niranjan, learned Government Advocate for the State. MC (WP(C)) No.625 of 2025: The petitioners, are villagers of Kaziphung and Kalikalok Villages. As per census report dated 20.11.2011 the villagers of Kaziphung and Kalikalok are included in the Chandel District. However, there is a dispute regarding territorial jurisdiction of the District, in which these villages belong. In such situation, villagers of these two villages could not get Income certificate/ Tribe certificate/ residential/domicile certificates etc. as there is confusion about the territorial jurisdiction as to which these two villages belong. In the circumstance, petitioners approached this Court for a direction for issuance of the requisite certificates. During pendency of the writ petition, petitioners filed an application being MC (WP(C)) No.625 of 2025 for passing appropriate order to the State Authorities for making temporary arrangement for issuance of Income certificate/ Tribe certificate/ residential/domicile certificates etc to the villagers so that the villagers do not face any difficulty in applying relevant government schemes. Mr.S.Niranjan, learned Government Advocate submits that census report may not be the reflection of jurisdiction of districts to which the two villages belong and Government is examining the issue. However, learned Government Advocate fairy submits that this Court may pass order for making temporary arrangement for issuance of requisite certificates to the villagers of the two villages namely, Kaziphung and Kalikalok Villages. This Court has considered the materials on record. As on date, there is dispute about the territorial jurisdiction of the district to which the two villages, Kaziphung and Kalikalok belong to. In terms of the direction issued by this Court in the order dated 28.3.2025 in WP(C) No.226 of 2025 for consideration of the representation submitted by the petitioners for issuance of the certificates as mentioned above, the Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Chandel has observed in order dated 5.5.2025 that the villagers of Kaziphung Village reside absolutely within Kakching District and the area of their settlement comes under the jurisdiction of Wangoo Gram Panchayat which is under Langmeidong Block of Kakching District. Therefore, considering the jurisdiction of the area of habitation, district authority of Kakching District is the appropriate authority to administer the villagers of Kalikalok in all kinds of administrative matters which also includes implementation of all kinds of government schemes and issue of various certificates viz Income/Tribe/Domicile Certificates etc. However, the same has been orally refused on the ground that these two villages are within the territorial jurisdiction of Chandel District. In the circumstance, the villagers are not getting the requisite certificates from the Deputy Commissioner. This Court has perused the materials on record and considered the submissions made at the Bar and is of the view that the M.C (WP(C)) No.625 of 2025 can be disposed of by issuing an innocuous direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Kakching for making temporary arrangement for issuance of requisite certificates to the villagers of the two villages namely, Kaziphung and Kalikalok, as an interim measure till the dispute with regard to territorial jurisdiction is settled. Until the issue off territorial jurisdiction of the concerned revenue district is finally decided by the State Government, the Deputy Commissioner, Kakching is directed, as an interim arrangement, to issue requisite certificates such as Income certificate/ Tribe certificate/ residential/domicile certificates etc to the villagers of Kaziphung and Kalikalok so that they can utilise the same for the purpose of admission, employment and availing benefits under various scheme/project etc. It is clarified that this Court does not express any opinion on the merit of the case and making temporary arrangement for issuance of requisite certificates is only for the convenience of the Government in availing benefits to the two villages so that their rights are not deprived. Misc case is accordingly disposed of. Furnish a copy of this order to the office of the D.C., Chandel and Kakching, for doing the needful. It is clarified that issuance of the requisite certificates such as Income certificate/ Tribe certificate/ residential/domicile certificates etc by the D.C, Kakching shall not affect the merit of the case in deciding the question of jurisdiction. List the remaining cases on 17.11.2025. JUDGE Priyojit RAJKUMA R PRIYOJIT SINGH Digitally signed by RAJKUMAR PRIYOJIT SINGH Date: 2025.10.15 13:31:07 +05'30'