The Supreme Court on Monday directed the state government to submit a status report on the measures taken by the government following the ongoing communal clashes between the Maiti and Kuki communities in Manipur.
The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud while hearing two petitions.
A petition was filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum, a non-governmental organization seeking military protection for the Kuki communities.
BJP MLA Dinganglung Gangmei filed a second petition challenging the Manipur High Court order. (“The state government should consider the petitions demanding inclusion of the majority Maithi community in the Scheduled Caste category” is the order of the High Court)
A rally was organized on May 3 against the reservation demand of the Maiti community. This led to violence. So far more than 100 people have died and more than 50 thousand people are in refugee camps due to this incident. Since then the state has been plagued by widespread violence.
During Monday’s hearing, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the Manipur Tribal Forum, told the Supreme Court that “the situation in the state has deteriorated”.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, “The situation is slowly improving and the curfew in the state has now been reduced from 24 hours to five hours.”
Meanwhile, lawyer Colin Gonsalves sought protection for the people of the Kuki community. Several militant group leaders have openly threatened to destroy them but no action has been taken against them. The advocate alleged that the violence against the kukis was “sponsored by the state government”.
Lawyer Gonsalves also told the court about the killing of the four people on Saturday.
The court asked the Solicitor General to submit a report on the present situation and the measures taken to improve the law and order situation and the rehabilitation provided to the victims. The next hearing in this case will be held on July 10.
