Supreme Court Directs Creation of Online Platform for Public Input on Manipur Clashes
The Supreme Court has instructed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) to swiftly establish an online platform. This initiative is intended to allow the public to submit pertinent information and materials to a court-appointed committee, which is currently investigating the recent ethnic confrontations in Manipur.
This directive was issued in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s transfer of sexual violence cases related to the Manipur ethnic clashes, currently under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to Assam. This decision was based on concerns regarding the prevailing environment in Manipur and the necessity to ensure a fair administration of criminal justice.
The court’s instructions aim to streamline legal proceedings, ensure access to justice, and facilitate the probe being conducted by an all-women committee. This committee, consisting of retired high court judges, has been tasked with examining the humanitarian aspects of the situation, focusing on relief, remedial actions, rehabilitation measures, and the restoration of homes and places of worship in the violence-affected state.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, during the hearing, emphasized the importance of the platform, stating,
“The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) shall assist the committee and ensure the expeditious creation of a website or platform to enable the public to place relevant material and information for the consideration of the committee.”
The ethnic clashes in Manipur, which have been ongoing since May, were triggered by a high court order. This order advised the state government to contemplate including the non-tribal Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes, leading to tensions between various ethnic groups. The situation garnered national attention when a graphic video, showcasing two Manipuri women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted, went viral. This disturbing footage prompted the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident, leading to a closer scrutiny of the allegations of human rights violations in Manipur.
The Supreme Court has also accepted several recommendations made by the committee, headed by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Gita Mittal. This committee submitted its reports earlier this month, detailing the humanitarian crisis and suggesting measures to address it.
The case, titled
“Dinganglung Gangmei v. Mutum Churamani Meetei & Ors.”,
continues to be under the Supreme Court’s watchful eye, as it seeks to ensure justice and rehabilitation for the affected communities.
