K. Kumardhan Singh vs Union Of India (Uoi) And Ors. on 9 April, 1999
10. Mr. P. G. Baruah, learned Advocate General,-Assam, submitted that the impugned corrigendum dated 18-3-96 to Serial 13 of the List as notified by the notification dated 27-11-75 has been issued on the basis of the recommendation of the Assam Backward Classes Commission in its impugned order dated 29-9-95. Mr. Baruah however did not make any submission on the justification of the recommendation of the Assam Backward Classes Commission for inclusion of "Bishnupriya Manipuri" with Manipuri community in Serial-13 of the List of the Other Backward Classes notified by the notification dated 27-11-75. Mr. B. Singha, learned counsel for the respondent 9 stated that the respondent No. 9 has no objection if Bishnupriya Manipuri community is placed under serial separate from serial No. 13 of the List of Other Backward Classes for the purpose of reservation in public services in the State of Assam. But he pointed out by referring to page 20 of a publication of the Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Parish ad titled "Manlpuris" that the people speaking Manipuri and Bishnupriya languages in the State of Assam are regarded as Manipuris and the word 'Manipuri' will have to be prefixed or suffixed to the word 'Bishnupriya' to safeguard the Identity of the race. He further argued that the petitioner and the respondent No, 5, State of Manipur, taking advantage of an incorrect description in the Census report have sought to identify the Manipuri com-munity with people speaking Metei language. According to Mr. Singha, people speaking Bishnupriya language also belong to Manipuri community and no declaration can be issued by this Court that the word Manipuri cannot be suffixed or prefixed to the word Bishpuriya Mr N. Dutta who also appeared for respondcm No. a submitted that the Court in exercise of its power under Article 226 of the Constitution cannot decide the issue as to whether Bishnupriya community is part of the Manipuri community and can therefore prefix or suffix the word Manipuri with the word Bishnupriya. He pointed out that the Court does not have the expertise or the knowledge to decide this intricate and sensitive issue. He relied on a decision of this Court in the case of Konsaba Ibochou v. State of Manipur, 1998 (1) Gauhati LT 1.