New Delhi: Violent clashes broke out in two villages of Manipur’s Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts on Monday, leaving one civilian dead and two others injured. Significantly, the Supreme Court said on Monday that the apex court cannot be used as a platform to decrease violence in Manipur. Also asked the fighting ethnic groups to exercise restraint during the court proceedings.
The court also made it clear that it cannot take the law and order of the state into its hands to end the violence. Said that putting an end to ethnic strife and violence is the responsibility of the Center and the Manipur government. This is a human issue. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha told senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for NGO ‘Manipur Tribal Forum’, that we do not want to hear the matter.
The Supreme Court reprimanded the Manipur government
The Supreme Court cannot be used as a platform to decrease violence and other problems in the state. The bench, after perusing the status report filed by the Chief Secretary of Manipur, asked Gonsalves, lawyers appearing for other organizations and the Bar Association of the Manipur High Court to give positive suggestions to end the violence by Tuesday. “Give us some positive suggestions to improve the situation and we will ask the Center and the Manipur government to look into it,” the bench said.
The apex court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Manipur government, to seek instructions on a circular issued in June by it asking state government employees to report for duty or face pay cut.
The Supreme Court had on July 3 directed the Manipur government to submit an updated status report detailing the steps taken to ensure rehabilitation and improve the law and order situation in the caste violence-hit state. At least 150 people have died and hundreds of others have been injured so far in the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the state.
Hearing on Manipur government’s petition regarding internet restoration today
The Supreme Court will hear on July 11 the petition filed by the state government against the order of the Manipur High Court regarding the limited restoration of internet. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha agreed to hear the state government’s plea. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, seeking an early hearing, said that the situation in the state was changing rapidly.
