Manipur: SC refuses to urgently hear plea seeking Army's control
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to urgently hear a petition filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum seeking protection of the Kuki tribe by the Indian Army. The court said it was purely an issue of law and order and posted the matter for hearing on July 3. The Centre argued that security agencies were doing their best to control the situation in Manipur.
Why does this story matter?
The Indian Army was called again to Manipur last month following the eruption of fresh violence. Over 102 people have been killed while over 300 wounded so far in ethnic violence in the state. The violence has also led to the displacement of nearly 40,000 people since May 3, when ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
What did Supreme Court say
The Supreme Court's vacation bench, comprised of justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh, refused to urgently list the Interlocutory Application (IA) submitted by the tribal forum during the vacations and instead listed it for July 3, according to Live Law. The matter was highlighted by Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, who allegedly claimed that despite government commitments to reduce violence, 70 tribals had been killed.
How did counsels argue before vacation bench
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Gonsalves stated that if the court did not hear the matter urgently, more tribals would be killed. In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that security agencies are on the ground. "Similar prayers were being made before vacations. The court decided to hear it after reopening. Let it be heard after vacations," he added.
Prayers mentioned in Interlocutory Application
According to reports, the IA seeks complete control of law and order in some districts by the Indian Army. It also requests an impartial investigation by the SIT and the punishment of those who attacked Manipur's tribal people. The plea also requests that the Central and State governments pay shared reparations to the tribals killed in the assaults, among other things.
