Manipur violence: Supreme Court directs state government to file fresh status report on Meitei-Kuki clashes

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Manipur government to file a fresh status report on the violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the north-eastern state. The Supreme Court also adjourned the hearing of the case till the first week of July. The Center and the state government earlier told the Supreme Court that a status report has been filed and the situation in the state has improved. There were some issues on the state border and it is important to maintain peace.

During a hearing on the Manipur violence, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said the court will have to stay the Manipur High Court’s order asking the Manipur government to consider a recommendation to the Center to include the Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes. was instructed.

Speaking on behalf of the Centre, the Solicitor General said that in view of the ground situation, the government decided not to seek adjournment and only seek extension, as it would have an impact on the ground situation.

Mehta told the Supreme Court that the intention was to restore peace in the state. He said that a total of 315 relief camps run by the District Police and CAPFs have been established. The state government has sanctioned a contingency fund of Rs 3 crore for relief measures. SG Mehta says that so far around 46,000 people have got help.

Congress sets up fact-finding team on Manipur

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has constituted a three-member fact-finding team to assess the extent and causes of the widespread violence in Manipur. Amid concerns over the situation in Manipur following the violence earlier this month, the Congress has decided to send observers to the state to ascertain the ground reality.

The decision was taken after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge met a delegation of party workers on Tuesday evening.

Taking to Twitter, Kharge said, “A delegation of leaders from @INC Manipur apprised me of the tremendous hardships that the people of Manipur had to go through during these difficult times. A team of observers will be sent soon to ascertain the ground reality.” Has been.”

The Congress chief said the situation in Manipur is tense and extremely worrying. Kharge also said, “The central government should make every effort to see normalcy in the state. Every community has a stake in ensuring peace. Let us take everyone into confidence.”

The Congress has criticized the role of the central and state governments in controlling the situation in Manipur following the violence in the state and demanded imposition of President’s rule there.

manipur struggle

Clashes broke out in Manipur after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was organized in 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserved forest land, which led to several smaller agitations.

At least 73 people were killed, 231 were injured and 1,700 houses, including religious places, were gutted in the state that shook the state, officials said. Meites constitute about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and mostly live in the Imphal Valley. The tribals – the Nagas and the Kukis – form 40 per cent of the population and live in the hill districts.