SC says it cannot take law and order apparatus in Manipur in its hand to stop violence

The Supreme Court said it does not want the proceedings to be used as a platform for further escalation of clashes.

Jul 10, 2023 - 20:30

SC says it cannot take law and order apparatus in Manipur in its hand to stop violence

The Supreme Court on Monday said that it cannot take over the responsibility of maintaining law and order in Manipur from the state government, PTI reported.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said at most the court can give directions to the authorities to make the situation better.

“We must be conscious that we are not running security or law and order,” the court said, according to Bar and Bench. “This is a humanitarian issue and needs to be looked at from that angle.”

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities since May 3. Widespread incidents of violence and arson continue to deepen the crisis in the state. Over 140 people have been killed and nearly 60,000 have been forced to flee their homes.

The Supreme Court is hearing two petitions related to the violence. One was filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum, a non-governmental organisation that sought Army protection for the Kukis. The second plea by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Dinganglung Gangmei challenged a Manipur High Court order asking the state government to consider petitions of the majority Meitei community to be included in the Scheduled Tribe category.

During the hearing on Monday, the Supreme Court said that it does not want the proceedings to...