Editor
The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea filed by NGO 'Manipur Tribal Forum' on July 3, seeking Army protection for the minority Kuki tribals in Manipur and the prosecution of communal groups involved in attacks against them. The bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, will consider the petition filed by the NGO.
The plea alleges that the central government and the Chief Minister of Manipur are pursuing a communal agenda aimed at "ethnic cleansing" of Kuki tribals in the state. The NGO has urged the apex court not to rely on "empty assurances" given by the Centre and has called for Army protection for the Kukis.
The clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which began on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' protesting the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, have resulted in over 120 deaths. The Meiteis account for approximately 53% of Manipur's population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while tribal Nagas and Kukis make up about 40% of the population and inhabit the hill districts.
The NGO's petition disputes the narrative that portrays the clashes as a "clash" between the two communities, emphasizing that they have coexisted for a significant period despite their differences. It alleges that armed communal groups associated with the ruling party in the state are orchestrating premeditated attacks on the tribals while evading prosecution.
The plea further seeks the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Assam police chief Harekrishna Deka to investigate the violence. Additionally, it demands compensation of Rs 2 crore to be paid within three months to the families of each person killed and permanent government employment for a member of each bereaved family.
The state of Manipur has been grappling with a violent conflict between the Meiteis and tribal Kukis since the Manipur High Court's March 27 order directing the state government to submit a recommendation to the Centre within four weeks regarding the demand for ST status for the Meitei community.
The Supreme Court is currently handling multiple pleas related to the situation in Manipur, including a challenge to the high court's order on Scheduled Tribe status filed by a ruling BJP MLA, as well as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by a tribal NGO seeking an SIT probe into the ongoing violence in the state.