Today, On 9th December, In the Manipur violence case, the Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna directed the state government to submit details regarding arson and encroachment in a sealed cover. The court has scheduled the hearing of the plea for after January 20. This move follows ongoing concerns over the state’s handling of the violence and related issues.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed the Manipur government to submit a sealed report outlining the extent of damage to homes and properties, including those illegally occupied, during the recent ethnic clashes.
The Court also inquired about the government’s response to the perpetrators and encroachers.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar scheduled the hearing for the week beginning January 20.
The case set to be heard again in the week commencing January 20.
Read Also: Manipur violence committee report
In August of last year, the Supreme Court mandated the establishment of a committee composed of three former women high court judges to oversee the relief and rehabilitation of victims and their compensation. Additionally, former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar appointed to monitor the investigation into the criminal cases.
Since ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts aimed at protesting the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, more than 160 individuals have lost their lives and several hundred have been injured.
The ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, is rooted in long-standing tensions between the majority Meitei community and the tribal groups, primarily the Kuki and Naga. These tensions were ignited by the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, a move opposed by the tribal groups who fear it could erode their land rights and access to government benefits.
Ethnic Composition of Manipur
- Meiteis: Making up about 53% of the state’s population, the Meiteis are the majority community, predominantly Hindu, and primarily inhabit the Imphal Valley, which comprises around 10% of Manipur’s land area.
- Tribal Groups (Kuki, Naga, etc.): These groups account for approximately 40% of the population, residing mainly in the hill districts that cover about 90% of the state’s territory. Most are Christian.
The tribal communities contend that granting ST status to the already economically and politically dominant Meiteis would threaten their interests, particularly regarding land rights in the hill areas designated for Scheduled Tribes.
The Meiteis argue that obtaining ST status is essential for preserving their culture, preventing demographic changes, and gaining access to reserved government jobs and land in hill areas, which they currently cannot own.
The situation in Manipur remains uncertain, with ongoing calls for a peaceful resolution and greater involvement from the central government to address the deep-rooted grievances of all communities involved.