The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Manipur government to submit a fresh status report on the security, relief and rehabilitation efforts made for the people affected by the violence in the state over the Meitei-Kuki community clashes. However, the Centre and the state both told the top court that the status report has already been filed and the situation has improved.The bench headed by the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narsimha and JB Pardiwala has directed them to submit the report. However, addressing the recent violence in Manipur, the Centre and state informed the court that the status report that has been filed, which said that a total of 318 camps have been opened which has given relief to 47,914 affected people. Apart from this, 626 FIRs have been registered so far.According to the affidavit submitted by the department, the ration, water and medical services are being arranged by the District Magistrate with Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Executive Magistrates, and District level officers. Apart from this, a contingent fund of Rs 3 crore has also been sanctioned by the department to meet the exigencies. The state government has also set aside 25 percent of the MLA local area development fund for relief measures in respective assembly constituencies.The Supreme Court stated that upholding law and order is a state responsibility, and in its capacity as head of the judiciary, it will make sure that the political executive does not ignore the issue.The apex court also took a strong view against the Manipur High Courts order asking the state government to submit the recommendation to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community.What is Manipur violence all aboutAfter violent battles erupted in many locations in the Northeastern state earlier this month, hundreds of people were hurt. The All-Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) organised the “Tribal Solidarity March,” which is when the violence first broke out. The march was held in opposition to the states Meitei communitys desire for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.The Manipur High Court noted in its April 19th order that the state governments negligence in failing to send a recommendation to the Centre recommending the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list has prevented a decision on the matter from occurring thus far. The petition had been filed by the Meitei Tribe Union seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the majority-Meitei community in Manipur state.The Manipur government was instructed to “consider the case of the petitioners for inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list, preferably within four weeks” from the date of the judgement.
