The Manipur Tribal Forum voiced apprehensions regarding potential violence against the Kuki-Zo community. They have taken proactive steps by filing a new petition with the Supreme Court. The move highlights ongoing tensions and the need for legal intervention to address community safety concerns. The Forum’s actions highlight ongoing efforts to safeguard minority communities in the region.
New Delhi: The Manipur Tribal Forum submitted a plea to the Supreme Court expressing concerns about potential violence against the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to the application, the Kuki-Zo community observed the arming of hostile groups in the past six months, including the threatening actions of the Arambai Tenggol group against the Kukis.
Additionally, there allegations of non-cooperation from Dattatray Padsaligikar, the Maharashtra police officer overseeing previous violence-related investigations as directed by the Supreme Court.
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The plea stated,
“We approach this honorable court with humility, seeking immediate actions that may be even more significant than prior attacks.This application seeks urgent relief regarding a series of extremely violent assaults on the Kuki-Zo community, despite repeated appeals to the respected DGP (Dattatray) Padsaligikar, with no apparent actions taken despite the passage of time.”
Despite sending five notes to Padsalgikar regarding recent incidents of violence and arms acquisition, the affected community remains uninformed, while the perpetrators continue to move freely, according to the contention.
The forum asserts that no steps taken regarding the reported beheading of a Kuki boy.
In a communication addressed to Padsalgikar, it remarked,
“Videos readily accessible on the internet depict the beheading of young Kuki boy David Thiek, with the perpetrator identified as none other than the PRO of the incumbent MLA of Kumbi Assembly constituency, Shri S. Premchandra Singh. He brazenly paraded the severed head on the street before impaling it on a bamboo fence. We are dismayed by the lack of response following our notification of this barbaric incident.”
The Supreme Court currently handling a series of petitions related to violence in Manipur. Previously, it formed an all-woman judicial committee led by former Jammu & Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal to supervise the ongoing investigations into the violence.
However, the Chief Justice of India clarified that the Supreme Court not intend to micromanage the state administration.
In November 2023, the Court instructed the Manipur government to ensure respectful burials for unidentified and unclaimed bodies.
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Last August, the Court tasked Padsaligikar with overseeing police investigations into cases of sexual violence.
Advocate Satya Mitra filed the recent application on behalf of the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi.
The applicants requested access to reports submitted by Padsaligikar and the Justice Mittal Committee.
Additionally, they seek the arrest of leaders from the Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun groups to prevent further violence against the Kuki-Zo community.
The petition also requested the following actions:
- The apprehension of S Premchandra Singh for his involvement in the beheading of a Kuki boy.
- Immediate disclosure by the State of Manipur of comprehensive details regarding criminal complaints, ongoing investigations, arrests, court orders obtained, and chargesheets prepared concerning the deaths of 170 Kukis and incidents of violence against women.
- Immediate protection by the Indian Army for the lives and properties of the Kuki-Zo community.