Manipur Violence: SC Adjourns Tribal Forum’s Plea, Asks Updated Report From State

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned a plea concerning the recent outbreak of violence in Manipur for a week.

The State government informed the bench comprising of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Manoj Misra, that it would submit an updated status report outlining the measures taken.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the State, informed the court that the situation was gradually improving.

The CJI requested an updated status report with details such as rehabilitation camps, law and order, and arms recovery.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves informed the court that there had been three killings, including the beheading of a tribal man, the previous night. He described the situation as extreme, but the bench decided to wait for the updated report.

The Supreme Court was addressing an interlocutory application (IA) filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum, which alleged that the Central government’s assurances to the court regarding the outbreak of violence in Manipur were false. The Forum sought the deployment of the Army in tribal areas to control the situation. Previously, a vacation bench had refused to urgently list the IA on June 20.

According to the IA filed by the tribal welfare body on June 9, since the last hearing in the apex court, 81 more individuals from the Kuki tribe were killed, and 31,410 Kukis had been displaced. The application highlighted the destruction of 237 churches, 73 administrative quarters, and 141 villages. The Forum argued that the violence was not a clash between two tribal communities, as portrayed by the media, but rather an orchestrated attack backed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Forum, along with other parties, had approached the Supreme Court seeking directions for the evacuation of Manipuri Tribals from CRPF camps and their safe return to their residences under security escort.

The Manipur government had assured the court on May 8 that concerns regarding the ongoing violence would be addressed and remedial measures would be taken. The Court had emphasized the need for relief camp arrangements, rehabilitation of displaced persons, and protection of places of worship.

Subsequently, the Union Home Ministry constituted a committee led by former Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajay Lamba to investigate the matter. However, the Forum expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangement, stating that the tribal groups affected were not consulted.