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Judgment
A. Guneshwar Sharma, J
[1] Heard Mr. L. Shyam, learned counsel for the petitiners and Mr. H. Debendra, learned Dy. A.G. assisted by Mr. A. Bheigya, learned Jr. G.A. for the State respondent.
[2] This matter was listed on 02.01.2026 in the special bench due to urgency involved in the case.
[3] In the present case, the petitioners are challenging the eviction notice dated 26.12.2025 issued by the Divisional Forest Officer, Central Forest Division, Government of Manipur directing the petitioners to remove their structures within 10 days from the land under their possession. On 02.01.2026, this Court directed the parties to maintain status quo as on date and the matter to be listed in vacation bench i.e. 07.01.2026.
[4] It is stated that the petitioners earlier challenged the Office Memorandum dated 18.03.2019 issued by the Divisional Forest Officer, Central Forest Division declaring Langol as reserved forest and giving schedule of boundary by way of writ petition being WP(C) No. 436 of 2025 and the same is pending before this Court.
[5] This Court is of the opinion that the whole issue lies in deciding the legality of the O.M. dated 18.03.2019.
[6] Mr. H. Debendra, learned Dy. A.G. submits that the State respondent is yet to file counter affidavit in WP(C) No. 436 of 2025 and he may be given two weeks’ time for filing the same and all the connected matters may be heard together.
[7] Accordingly, two weeks’ time is granted to the State respondent to file counter affidavit in all the pending writ petitions filed by the petitioners and one week’s time to the petitioners to file rejoinder affidavit, if any.
[8] Mr. L. Shyam, learned counsel for the petitioners, also filed WP(C) No. 323 of 2020 challenging the O.M. dated 18.03.2019.
[9] List this matter before appropriate bench along with WP(C) Nos. 436 of 2025 and 323 of 2020 along with connected misc. applications on 28.01.2026.
[10] Status quo order directed vide order dated 02.01.2026 is extended till the next date. However, it is clarified that the petitioners shall not make any further construction in the land under their occupation.