Manipur violence: Supreme Court seeks ‘detailed status report’ from state government

“Let’s have an updated status report from the SG. We are not adjourning it by a long time… So we want to know what steps have been taken on the ground… Give us a detailed status report,” the CJI said.

“The Solicitor General has submitted that the state of Manipur will file an updated status report about measures which have been taken and indicating the present position. List on Monday,” the bench, also comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Mishra, said in its order.

“Give us a detailed affidavit under every head, just tell us what steps have been taken – rehabilitation camps, recovery of arms, law and order,” the CJI said.

The court also asked the SG to “take specific instructions” on allegations by the “International Meitei Organisation” that members of militant organisations who have signed the suspension of operations agreement with the Centre may also be involved in the violence, and they may be supplying assault rifles and sniper rifles.

“I may or may not include it in my report, but I will take instructions. Because there is a possibility of some source (for the arms) other than the one indicated,” Mehta said.

The SG told the court that 114 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 184 columns of Army, as well as Manipur Rifles commandos have been deployed. A total of 355 relief camps are operating, he said. He submitted that curfew has been reduced to only five hours daily. “So there is an improvement,” he said.

Mehta urged the counsel appearing for some Kuki outfits to avoid giving a communal spin to the situation, saying that “human beings are being dealt with”.

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the Kuki groups, said it was assured at the last hearing that violence was decreasing but it was “hugely accelerating” instead.

He said there are “two fully-armed militant organisations killing tribals”. “Their leaders came on TV and said they are going to annihilate (Kukis). Their Facebook (pages) say kill the Kukis and drive them from the hills. No FIR, not a single arrest has been made. These are institutions sponsored by the state,” he said.

“These are Meiteis, the dominant groups, killing the Kukis… The Kukis are not attacking, but are in their villages, defending. Armed Meitei groups are crossing the line, coming to burn. Then women gather in large numbers and stop the Army. The Army has released two press releases saying we are not allowed to do our duty and protect the people who are under attack,” he said.