| 03 July 2023
The Supreme Court of India has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the northeastern state of Manipur and has requested a detailed status report from the state government regarding the measures taken to address the ongoing ethnic violence. The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, has instructed the government to provide information on the steps taken to establish rehabilitation camps for the displaced and violence-affected individuals, deployment of security forces, and the overall law and order scenario in Manipur.
During the hearing, the court emphasized the need for comprehensive details in the report, including information about rehabilitation camps, law and order enforcement, and the recovery of arms. The Manipur government has been directed to submit the report by July 10, when the matter will be further deliberated upon. The Supreme Court was addressing multiple petitions concerning the ongoing violence in Manipur, including a plea filed by a non-governmental organization (NGO) seeking Army protection for the minority Kuki tribals and action against groups allegedly attacking them.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing both the Central government and the Manipur government, informed the Supreme Court that the situation in the state is gradually improving. He highlighted the presence of various security forces, such as the civil police, Manipur rifles, companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Army columns, and Manipur Commandos. Mehta also mentioned that the curfew in the state has been reduced from 24 hours to a five-hour duration. Referring to senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who appeared on behalf of Kuki groups, Mehta urged the court not to give the case a communal angle and emphasized that "real human beings are being dealt with."
Colin Gonsalves argued that militants openly threatened the Kuki community on a news program, stating their intention to "annihilate the Kukis," but no action was taken against them. He further alleged that the violence against the Kukis was "sponsored by the state." On June 20, a vacation bench led by Justice Surya Kant declined to hold an urgent hearing on the plea, emphasizing that it is primarily a law and order issue that should be addressed by the administration.
Representing the NGO, Gonsalves presented the distressing figure that 70 tribals have lost their lives in the ethnic violence in Manipur, despite assurances from the authorities that no lives would be lost.
The solicitor general opposed the request for an urgent hearing, asserting that security agencies are actively engaged on the ground and doing their best to contain the violence and restore normalcy. He mentioned that the primary matter related to the Manipur High Court's order regarding the grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the majority Meitei community, which triggered the series of violent incidents in the state, is scheduled for hearing on July 17 in the Supreme Court.
The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, which commenced on May 3, has resulted in the loss of nearly 120 lives and left over 3,000 people injured. The Meiteis, who make up around 53 percent of Manipur's population and reside predominantly in the Imphal Valley, are pitted against the Nagas and Kukis, who constitute approximately 40 percent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
The Manipur High Court had issued an order on March 27, directing the state government to send a recommendation to the Central government within four weeks regarding the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community.
The Supreme Court's request for a detailed report from the Manipur government underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the need for immediate measures to restore peace and stability in the state. The court's upcoming hearing on July 10 will provide a crucial platform to assess the steps taken so far and to chart a path forward towards addressing the underlying issues fueling the ethnic violence in Manipur.
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