SC says not to use it as stage to escalate tensions in Manipur

New Delhi: The SC is not a platform to be used for escalating tensions in Manipur, the apex court observed on Monday, while asking the warring ethnic groups to exercise restraint during the court proceedings.

The court also made it clear that it cannot take over the law and order and security apparatus to bring an end to the ethnic strife and violence in Manipur which is the duty of the Centre and the state govt.

"We don't want the proceedings and this court to be used as a platform for escalation of violence and other problems in the state. We cannot take law and order and security apparatus in our hands. It is for the Union of India and the Manipur government to ensure security. This is a humanitarian issue," a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha told senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who appeared for NGO 'Manipur Tribal Forum'.

The bench, which took on record a fresh status report filed by the chief secretary of Manipur, asked Gonsalves and other lawyers appearing for different organisations representing the ethnic Kuki and Meitei groups, locked in a bloody conflict in the northeastern state, some others entities and the high court bar association of Manipur to peruse the updated status report and give positive suggestions by Tuesday for bringing an end to the violence.

Gonsalves asserted the state government had said at the last hearing that 10 people had lost their lives in the conflict but the death toll has now risen to 110, and violence continued unabated.

"Your scepticism cannot lead us to take over the law and order into our hands. This is up to the Centre and the state government. This is what elected governments are for. We are very clear about the remit of the Supreme Court. We at the most can issue directions to the authorities to ensure security and for that we need assistance from different parties before us," the bench told the senior lawyer.

The top court is hearing a batch of petitions filed by different NGOs, including the one by 'Manipur Tribal Forum', which has sought Army protection for the Kuki tribe, Dinganglung Gangmei, the chairman of the Hills Area Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, who has challenged the high court's order on designating the Meitei community as a Scheduled Tribe, the high court bar sssociation and others.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, said as directed by the court, an updated status report has been filed.

He claimed things are returning to normal after concerted efforts by the the Centre and the state govt.

The moment Gonsalves alleged everyone in the state was against the Kuki tribe, the bench restrained him from proceeding further, asserting the court cannot be used as a platform for escalating tensions in the state. (PTI)