Manipur Ethnic Unrest: Supreme Court Addresses Violence and Relief Measures
In the Northeastern state of Manipur, tensions flared up on May 3rd when Kuki groups protested proposed changes to the state’s reservation system, which aimed to provide scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. This led to clashes causing the loss of more than 160 lives and displacing about 50,000 people. The Supreme Court on August 25th acknowledged the suffering of both communities and stressed that the focus should not be on who suffered more but on providing justice and relief.
To address the situation, the Supreme Court transferred cases related to the violence to Assam’s jurisdiction. Additionally, the Gauhati High Court was instructed to assign one or more judicial officers to handle these cases. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also emphasized the importance of conducting judicial procedures online, reducing the need for victims and witnesses to travel. This online platform will be based in Gauhati, except for judicial custody, which will be managed in Manipur to avoid unnecessary travel.
Recognizing the importance of in-person appearances, the court allowed individuals involved in the cases to appear physically in the Gauhati court if they preferred it over the online mode. However, proper internet services were directed to be provided by the Manipur government to ensure smooth online hearings.
The Supreme Court also took steps to ensure the fair recording of statements from witnesses. It mandated that witness statements under 164 CrPC should be recorded in the presence of a local Magistrate in Manipur. The Acting Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court was instructed to appoint one or more magistrates specifically for this task.
On August 21st, the Supreme Court established the Justice Gita Mittal committee to oversee the rehabilitation of victims of ethnic violence. More than 10 cases, including the one involving the sexual assault of two women whose video went viral on social media, were transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Considering that many people affected by the violence might have lost their identification documents, the Supreme Court-appointed panel urged the government to take specific actions. These actions included providing Aadhaar cards to the displaced individuals and expanding the compensation scheme for the victims. The committee, through three reports, highlighted the necessity for reconstructing identity documents, enhancing compensation, and involving domain experts to improve its functioning.
Since May 3rd, over 160 lives have been lost, and hundreds of people have been injured due to the ethnic violence. The conflict emerged when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was held in the hill districts of Manipur to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court is actively addressing the Manipur ethnic unrest, aiming to provide justice, relief, and proper procedures for all affected parties. The court’s decisions emphasize the importance of fairness, online accessibility, and the involvement of local authorities to ensure that the victims’ voices are heard, and their rights are protected.