Manipur Crisis: Supreme Court Asks For Constructive Proposals to Restore Normalcy

NEW DELHI: As the Manipur situation continued to be volatile, the Supreme Court said on Monday asked the advocates representing different parties to forward concrete, constructive suggestions so that normalcy can be restored in the violence- hit state.

A SC bench also opined that court proceedings on the Manipur violence should not be used to escalate violence or create further problems and deferred the hearing to July 11.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stressed that a humanitarian perspective should be adopted while approaching the issue, keeping in mind the limitations inherent in the functioning of Court, limiting it from managing security or law and order.

The CJI said that he did not want these proceedings to be used as a platform for further escalations of violence and other problems. He pointed out that they are not running security or law and order. He stressed that this is a humanitarian issue and needs to be looked at from that angle.

He said keeping in mind these facets they will be hearing the case on July 11.

The apex court made this observation during the hearing on a batch of pleas regarding the ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.

Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta described the situation in Manipur as "constantly evolving," while submitting a status report on the efforts being made by the Central government to restore normalcy in the State.

On the other hand, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the Kuki groups, raised concerns about serious escalations in violence in the State. He said that he was skeptic as a previous statement by SG Mehta mentioned that only 10 deaths were reported, the number of deaths has now increased to 110.

The CJI responded by saying that his skepticism should not lead the Court to interfere in the law and order situation, as that was not in its writ. He requested Gonsalves to submit specific suggestions on the next date of hearing, which is July 11.

Gonsalves expressed his primary concern to be that of arresting the assailants. SG Mehta gave more importance to the understanding of the ongoing situation and its underlying causes.

CJI Chandrachud then focused on the issue of the seizure of weapons from police stations and asked for an update on actions taken in this regard. The bench directed the Chief Secretary of Manipur to file a status report.

The CJI reminded all parties that the Court was a legal platform and it should not take over the responsibilities in the functioning of the elected government.

"If we start running law and order, then what is the elected government for? We have to be conscious of the remit of the Supreme Court," CJI Chandrachud said.

In a hearing last week, the State government had submitted that it would be filing an updated status report comprising the measures that have been taken to curb the violence.

On May 8, the Manipur government had assured the Supreme Court that any concerns raised about the ongoing violence will be addressed and that proper remedial measures will be taken proactively.

At that time, the Court had called for necessary arrangements to be made in relief camps and for proper precautions to be taken for rehabilitation of displaced persons and to protect places of religious worship.

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