Manipur Ethnic Violence: Supreme Court seeks updated status report on escalating situation
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informs Chief Justice DY Chandrachud-led Bench about slow improvement and deployment of security forces.
New Delhi, July 03: The Supreme Court has called upon the Manipur state government to provide an updated status report regarding the ongoing violence in the region. The court hearing is scheduled for the following Monday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, that the situation is gradually improving.
The state has deployed civil police, Manipur Rifles, 114 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and 114 Army columns to maintain law and order.
Senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, representing the tribal groups, presented a status report to the three-judge Bench, alleging an increase in killings and an escalation of violence. Despite assurances from the government, the number of killings has risen from 10-20 to 110, with reports of a beheading incident. Gonsalves claimed that interviews were being given in which people threatened to annihilate the Kukis, and he emphasized the need to disband armed groups to prevent further escalation.
In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested Gonsalves not to approach the issue from a communal angle and highlighted the importance of treating all individuals involved as human beings. Mehta reiterated that the situation was gradually improving, with the curfew being reduced to five hours. He informed the court that in addition to the civil police and Manipur Rifles, the state had deployed 114 companies of CAPF and 114 Army columns to address the violence.
A representative of the International Meitei Organisation urged the Supreme Court to direct the central government to conduct a headcount of militants who have entered into ceasefire agreements. The counsel argued that this would help explain the presence of assault weapons. The Bench instructed Mehta to seek instructions on this matter, to which he responded that conducting a headcount of militants would not be feasible.
The Supreme Court directed the Manipur government to submit a detailed updated status report on relief, rehabilitation, and the recovery of arms from armed groups. The next hearing is scheduled for July 10.
Previously, on May 17, the Supreme Court had instructed the Manipur government to take necessary measures to restore confidence among the affected population and ensure peace and tranquility. The court emphasized its commitment to address the situation and prevent negligence by the political executive.
Last month, the Manipur Tribal Forum approached the Supreme Court, accusing the central government and the state chief minister of pursuing a communal agenda that aims to ethnically cleanse the Kukis in the state.
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