Will not enter political arena, authorities to exercise restraint, Supreme Court on Manipur Violence [Read Order]

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will not enter into political arena but the constitutional authorities must act with restraint and do not make provocative statements.

The court also stressed that it would ensure that the political executive does not turn a blind eye to the law and order situation in Manipur.

A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala told the Manipur government to file a fresh status report on measures taken for security, safety and relief and rehabilitation measures for the people affected by violence.

On security apprehensions of Christian Kuki and other tribal communities, the bench ordered that the chief secretary and his security advisor will assess and take steps to ensure peace and tranquillity in the villages cited by tribals.

Advocate Nizam Pasha for a party alleged that provocative tweets were put out by the official Chief Minister's handle.

"There must be restraint on the part of constitutional authorities," the bench said.

Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar for another party contended illegal immigrants from Myanmar were coming to the state. They were involved in poppy cultivation and that is how militants camps were coming in, he said.

"We will not allow our forum to be dragged into politics and policy. We know the remit of the constitutional court," the bench said.

During the hearing, the bench also said the Manipur HC's order for Scheduled Tribe Status to Hindu Meiteis was "factually wrong."

However, the court said it will not deal with the legal issues, as the division bench was considering pleas challenging the order.

The court also said that tribals can move the division bench of the high court with regard to issues connected with the quota.

In its status report, the state government said: “A total of 318 relief camps have been opened with more than 47,914 people. The provision for ration, food, water and medical care and medicines are being arranged by the District Magistrates with Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Executive Magistrates and District level Officers of concerned line Departments by deputing responsible Officers”.

The state said: “free passage of people from relief/safe locations to airport/native places (ex-state) is taking place and about 3,124 have been helped through flights”.

The Supreme Court on May 8 asked the Centre government to focus on relief camps, rehabilitation of displaced persons, and protection of religious places while hearing a plea by Manipur Tribal Forum seeking a probe by special investigation team (SIT) into the killing of tribals.

It had also noted Centre’s submissions that no violence was reported in Manipur in the past two days and the situation is gradually returning to normalcy.

Dinganglung Gangmei, BJP MLA and Chairman of the Hill Area Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, moved the apex court against the high court's March 27 direction for including Meetei/Meitei community as the Scheduled Tribe in the Presidential list.

A separate petition has been filed by Manipur Tribal Forum for a probe by SIT into the killing of tribals. A large-scale violence in Manipur caused death of over 50 people and displacement of thousands others.

[Read Order]