Editor
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has declined an urgent hearing for the interlocutory application (IA) submitted by the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi (MTFD) requesting army protection for the Kuki tribes during the vacation period. The court, consisting of Justice Surya Kant and MM Sundresh, refused to entertain the matter on Thursday or Friday and instead scheduled it for July 3.
Addressing the issue, the vacation bench of the apex court emphasized that the Manipur ethnic violence is primarily a law and order situation and that it is not within the court's jurisdiction to issue orders for army intervention.
"We hope that courts are not approached with requests for army deployment or the deployment of central forces. This is solely a matter of law and order, and it should be handled by the administration," responded the Supreme Court.
The court listed the case for July 3, after the summer vacation, indicating that it was the earliest possible date for the hearing. The apex court also suggested that any form of intervention at this stage might exacerbate the situation in Manipur, where clashes have been ongoing since May 3. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Manipur and the Union of India, assured the court that security forces were actively engaged on the ground and doing their utmost to address the situation.
The Solicitor General further pointed out that a similar plea had been filed before the vacation period, but the court had decided not to intervene at that time, instead reserving the matter for post-holiday consideration.
Meanwhile, senior advocate Colin Gonslaves, representing MTFD, informed the Supreme Court that violence and killings were still occurring in Manipur despite the government's solemn assurances. The advocate highlighted the targeted attacks on tribal areas and the loss of tribal lives. Gonslaves urged the court to provide army protection, initiate prosecutions, and file First Information Reports (FIRs) against those responsible for the violence. The Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi alleged that the Central government and the Chief Minister of Manipur were pursuing a communal agenda aimed at "ethnic cleansing" of the Kuki tribes in the northeastern state.
The ongoing clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities have resulted in over 100 fatalities during the past month.
In its application, the MTFD sought immediate directions to the army to assume full control of the law and order situation in the districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Imphal West, and Imphal East. The objective is to promptly put an end to the targeted killings of Kukis.