Today (8th April), The Supreme Court reviewed a plea for voting access for 18,000 displaced people in Manipur before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The elections for Manipur’s two Lok Sabha seats are scheduled on April 19 and 26. The plea highlights the urgency as the first phase of polling is on April 19. The Chief Justice assured an early hearing date, acknowledging the importance of the issue.
New Delhi: Today, On Monday, the Supreme Court announced considering a request for voting accommodations for roughly 18,000 individuals displaced within due to ethnic tensions, just ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The polling for Manipur’s two Lok Sabha seats is scheduled across two phases on April 19 and 26.
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The plea for urgent hearing presented before a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, highlighting the need for action as the first phase of polling is set for April 19.
The lawyer stated,
“There are 18,000 internally displaced people who wish to participate in the Manipur elections.”
The Chief Justice of India assured the advocate, saying,
“I will schedule an early date for you.”
Since May 2023, Manipur entangled in a cycle of violence resulting in over 160 fatalities and several hundred injuries.
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The ethnic violence originated on May 3 during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts, opposing the majority Meitei community’s quest for Scheduled Tribe status.
While the frequency and severity of violent acts are gradually diminishing, numerous individuals continue to reside in relief camps, distant from their usual residences.