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Manipur violence: SC directs Centre, state to ensure distribution of basic supplies

September 1, 2023, 8:29 pm

The Supreme Court urged the Centre and the Manipur government on Friday to ensure that basic supplies such as food, medicines, and other necessities are distributed to people impacted by the Manipur unrest so that no citizens are left without basic human services.

On the dismantling of the roadblock on National Highways and other areas obstructing rations, the bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala stated that the manner in which the blockade is dealt with is within law enforcement.
However, given the humanitarian nature of the situation, the government should investigate all alternatives, including airdropping vital materials, according to the Supreme Court.

It requested that the Centre and the Manipur government tell it of their actions on the next date of hearing. The case was then scheduled for a hearing on September 6. The Supreme Court issued the directives after senior counsel Meenakshi Arora appeared on behalf of the judges’ committee it formed to deal with the humanitarian aspects of the case.

Arora stated that there are two issues: first, blockades in Manipur’s Moreh district that have prevented people from receiving basic food, and second, an outbreak of chickenpox and measles in several relief camps.

The bench also took note of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s testimony that nodal officers had been selected by Manipur and the Central government.

Assam Rifles DG states: The circumstances we are under in Manipur are unparalleled.

September 1, 2023, 12:01 pm

A top official in the Assam Rifles claimed that Manipur is currently experiencing an unprecedented situation as a result of the ethnic violence because both populations are armed to the teeth, placing the state in a precarious position.
Lt. General PC Nair, the director general of the Assam Rifles, said that the state’s residents must come to understand that peace is the only option for moving forward.

They further said that our current predicament in Manipur is unparalleled. We have never experienced anything like this. When the Nagas and Kukis clashed in the early 1990s, something similar occurred, and in the late 1990s, there was also fighting among the Kuki clans. Currently, the largest problem is the abundance of guns in both groups. The thoughts of both communities are connected to this. These days, everyone is so corrupted against one another. This needs to be stopped, the DG added, adding that the public must come to see that peace is the only path forward.

Following an All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) demonstration on May 3, fighting broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.
Since the state has been engulfed in violence for more than four months, the Central government has been forced to use paramilitary forces to regain control of the situation. Due to the violence, thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds have died.

Violence erupted in Manipur again after 3 members of Kuki community killed

August 18, 2023, 1:45 pm

Officials stated that three members of the Kuki community were killed by armed miscreants in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday morning.

According to authorities, the event occurred at 4:30 a.m. at Thouwai Kuki, a village inhabited by Kuki tribals located around 47 kilometers from Ukhrul town, the district’s headquarters, which is controlled by Tangkhuls, a Naga tribe.

“According to our information, a group of armed miscreants approached the village from the hills located to the east of the village and started firing at village guards. Three people from the village have been killed in the incident. There are no reports of any injuries,” said N Vashum, superintendent of police (SP), Ukhrul, confirmed.

Following the event, the SP stated that security measures have been strengthened and that joint operations by state police and the Indian Army are ongoing to apprehend those responsible.

On August 5, five people, three Meiteis and two Kukis, were killed in separate shootings between the two communities in the districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur.

Clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 in Churachandpur town when Kuki organizations called for protests against a proposed change to the state’s reservation matrix that would grant the Meitei people scheduled tribal (ST) status.

Violence swiftly enveloped the state, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning houses and neighborhoods into jungles, frequently across state lines. The riots have claimed over 160 deaths and displaced over 50,000 people. Meiteis make up roughly 53% of the state’s population, while Kukis make up about 16%.

42 SITs looking at cases not transferred to CBI, says SC in Manipur violence

August 7, 2023, 7:11 pm

The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it intends to issue an order establishing 42 Special Investigation Teams (SIT) to investigate matters related to the Manipur unrest that have not yet been submitted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that while cases have been handed to the CBI, it is seeking to direct that five officers of at least Deputy SP rank be brought into the CBI from various states.

“These officers will also be functioning within the four corners of the infrastructure and administrative structure of CBI. There will be 42 SITs looking at cases that have not been transferred to CBI”, the top court said.

Six DIG level officers from outside Manipur would supervise SITs that are already investigating matters that have not been referred to the CBI. The Supreme Court stated that it is considering appointing a committee of three former High Court judges to look into the inquiry, relief, corrective measures, compensation, rehabilitation, and so on.

“The Committee of three former judges will be headed by Justice Gita Mittal, and also comprise Justice Shalini Joshi, Justice Asha Menon”, apex court said.

Know more about the DGP who’s appointed to overseas Manipur police investigation

August 7, 2023, 4:43 pm

The Supreme Court on Monday selected ex-Maharashtra DGP Dattatrey Padsalgikar to oversee police investigations into Manipur violations. The Court stated that it will appoint a committee of three previous female High Court justices to “look at various humanitarian aspects.” The Committee will be led by Justice Gita Mittal (former Chief Justice of the J&K High Court) and Justice Shalini Phansalar Joshi (former Bombay High Court judge).

Attorney General R Venkataranmani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the SP-led SITs will investigate ethnic clashes/offenses and that the state DGP and DIG will oversee the investigations.

In terms of inquiry, the Court noted that the Centre had opted to forward 11 FIRs involving sexual violence to the Central Bureau of Inquiry.

The Court stated that it will allow these cases to be transferred to the CBI. But it will also include 5 officers from other states with at least the rank of DySP if not SP “to ensure that there is a sense of faith and a general sense of impartiality.”

SC hearing slew of petitions related to Manipur unrest

July 31, 2023, 3:59 pm

The Supreme Court on Monday urged for the development of a broad system to deal with violence against women in strife-torn Manipur and inquired as to how many FIRs had been filed in such incidences in the state since May.

Tushar Mehta, standing for the Centre, told a panel led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that the national government had no issue to the supreme court overseeing the inquiry into the Manipur violence.

The panel, which also includes Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is hearing a slew of petitions related to the unrest in Manipur. The hearing in the case is currently underway.

Amit Shah speaks up on Manipur discussion demand

July 24, 2023, 5:18 pm

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that he was ready for a debate in the Lok Sabha on the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, even as opposition parties continued to protest, demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue. However, the Opposition leaders’ constant sloganeering forced Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the proceedings for the day.

“I am ready for discussion on this in the House. I request the Opposition to let a discussion take place on this issue. It is important that the country gets to know the truth on this sensitive matter,” Shah said

On Monday, the third day of the present Parliament Monsoon session, both Houses were adjourned due to the outcry over the Manipur issue.

On the opening day of the session, Thursday, PM Modi addressed the violence publicly for the first time during a pre-session address in the Parliament complex, sharply condemning the incident in which two Manipur women were paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob.

“The incident of Manipur is shameful for any civilisation. The country is shamed. I appeal to all chief ministers to strengthen laws to take stringent action against crime, especially against women. The incident might be from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, the culprit should not go roam-free in anywhere,” PM Modi said.

However, the Opposition parties have been adamant about obtaining a more detailed response from Modi on the topic, and have stated that a discussion will follow. In response, the federal administration agreed to have a debate in Parliament, but called Modi’s demand for a statement a “caveat for disruption.”

The act, which occurred a day after riots erupted in the northeastern state on May 3, sparked widespread national indignation on Wednesday, as a heinous video of the incident was extensively disseminated online.

PM Modi, CJI express pain over Manipur horrific video

July 20, 2023, 3:44 pm

Finally, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the violence in Manipur for the first time ever since the violence erupted in the state. He also expressed his thoughts on the viral video of two women displayed naked on Thursday.

In his statement before of the Monsoon Session of Parliament PM Modi stated that his heart was full with anguish and wrath before coming to Parliament, the temple of democracy.

PM Modi stated that “The incident of Manipur which has come to the fore is shameful for any civilization. The country is shamed. I appeal to all chief ministers to strengthen laws to take stringent action against crime, especially against women. The incident might be from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, the culprit should not go scot-free in any corner of the country.

Earlier in the day, the primary accused, who stripped Kuki women naked and displayed them, was apprehended after a video of the two-month-old crime went online, causing widespread outrage.

Meanwhile, N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, stated that an extensive investigation is ongoing and that harsh action will be taken against all criminals, including the potential of capital penalty.

In the midst of national outrage and the opposition putting pressure on PM Modi to speak out, PM Modi vowed action and expressed his heartfelt sorrow and pain.

Biren Singh took to his Twitter and penned “My hearts go out to the two women who were subjected to a deeply disrespectful and inhumane act, as shown in the distressing video that surfaced yesterday. After taking a Suo-moto cognizance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning.

“A thorough investigation is currently underway and we will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment. Let it be known, there is absolutely no place for such heinous acts in our society.”

Suo moto cognizance of the viral video was taken by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who stated that the incident is just wrong. “using women as a tool in a time of communal strife.” The most heinous constitutional violation. The videos that have surfaced have severely distressed us. “We will act if the government does not,” the CJI stated.

At this crucial juncture, I will not be resigning, says Manipur CM Biren Singh

June 30, 2023, 7:18 pm

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Friday that he will not resign, just hours after his supporters prevented him from meeting with the governor. “At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister”, Singh tweeted.

At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 30, 2023

High drama ensued in Imphal when Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh was prevented from going to Raj Bhavan to meet the governor by his supporters. There was talk of Singh stepping down as chief minister amid the state’s ongoing violence in the north-eastern region.

As news of the CM’s resignation spread like wildfire, his supporters staged a protest outside the CM’s residence, urging him not to resign. “We do not want the chief executive to resign, and he should not resign.” He is putting in a lot of effort for us. “We are assisting the CM,” a local told news reporters.

Hundreds of youth and women dressed in black sat in front of the CM’s residence, demanding that Biren Singh not resign. Supporters of the chief minister had also gathered outside the Raj Bhavan, urging him not to resign.

Social media videos showed a crowd blocking Singh’s convoy and preventing him from meeting with the governor to tender his resignation.

Manipur: There is a cry for help, says Rahul Gandhi as he visits relief camps in Moirang

June 30, 2023, 1:43 pm

Rahul Gandhi, the senior Congress leader, arrived in Manipur’s Moirang on Friday to meet with people affected by ethnic clashes in the northeastern state.

Gandhi arrived in Moirang around 9.30 a.m. by helicopter from Imphal, where he met with a number of affected people in two relief camps and listened to their plight. Former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, party general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, PCC president Keisham Meghachandra Singh, and former MP Ajay Kumar accompanied him.

“It’s heartbreaking to see and listen to the plight of those who have lost loved ones and homes due to the violence in Manipur,” Gandhi said on Friday in an Instagram post.

“There is a cry for help in the face of every brother, sister and child I meet.”

“The most important thing Manipur needs now is Peace – to secure the lives and livelihoods of our people. All our efforts must unite towards that goal,” he added.

Moirang is famous for being the town where the Indian National Army hoisted the Indian tricolor in 1944.

On the second day of his two-day visit to strife-torn Manipur, Gandhi will also meet with leaders of ten like-minded political parties and members of civil society.

“Rahul Gandhi will meet all the affected families and visit the relief camps in Moirang. After that, he will be back in Imphal. At Imphal Hotel he will meet civil society organisation leaders, United Naga Council’s leaders, 10 like-minded political parties and women leaders. He is here only for peace,” Manipur PCC president Keisham Meghachandra Singh said.

Manipur: Rahul Gandhi likely to take chopper after convoy stopped by police

June 29, 2023, 4:02 pm

Manipur Police halted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday approximately 20 km from Imphal near Bishnupur, fearing violence along the road. Rahul Gandhi was on his way to Churachandpur after arriving in Imphal, when his convoy was stopped.

Rahul Gandhi is set to meet with those affected by the state’s ethnic conflict in Churachandpur. According to Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, cops were not allowing Rahul Gandhi’s car to move while people on the sides waved to him.

“We don’t understand why they’ve stopped us,” Venugopal added. Gandhi will most likely fly from Imphal to Churachandpur via helicopter. The All Manipur Students Union issued a statement criticising the state’s successive governments ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit.

“The current communal crisis in Manipur is the result of political blunders committed by successive governments that have ruled Manipur over time, and the Congress has a significant role to play,” the union stated.

“In 2012, the Congress party removed four Gramme Panchayats and one Zila Parishad constituency from the Manipur Panchayati Raj system and assigned them to the Kangopi district’s autonomous district council.” It has “further enhanced Kuki nation state’s dreamland,” the students’ union declared in a statement.

“Rahul Gandhi was going to meet the victims of Manipur violence. The BJP government stopped them on the way by deploying the police. Rahul ji has gone to Manipur with the message of peace. The people in power have a strong hatred for peace, love and brotherhood. But they should remember… This country will run on the path of Gandhi, this country will run on the path of love,” the Congress tweeted.

Several BJP supporters questioned Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur because he is no longer an MP, while Amit Malviya of the BJP questioned why Rahul Gandhi never visited Manipur between 2015 and 2017 when there was ethnic violence.

Manipur’s condition is unstable due to confrontations between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

Manipur: Rahul Gandhi’s convoy stopped by cops 20 km from Imphal

June 29, 2023, 3:26 pm

The All Manipur Students Union issued a statement criticising the state’s successive governments ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit.

According to Congress spokesman Supriya Shrinare, Rahul Gandhi was only spreading a message of peace and love, but the BJP was terrified. “The Manipur government, which has failed to protect people and control violence in the state, has stopped Shri Rahul Gandhi’s convoy on orders from the Modi government.” What are they afraid of? Shrinate tweeted, “Rahul ji is simply carrying the message of peace, love, healing, and humanity.”

The Manipur Govt which has failed to protect people and control the violence in the state has stopped Shri Rahul Gandhi’s convoy – under instructions from the Modi govt.

What are they scared of? Rahul ji is simply carrying the message of peace, love, healing and humanity.

— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) June 29, 2023

Manipur’s situation very chaotic, says CM Biren Singh

June 26, 2023, 4:14 pm

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Sunday that the current situation in the northeastern state is “very chaotic” and that it is impossible to predict the nature of the current phase of violence.

Singh’s remarks came after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, a day after the Centre convened an all-party meeting to discuss the ongoing violence that has engulfed the state ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party since May 3.

Singh told reporters, “The immediate effort of the Union home minister Amit Shah is to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur…he has expressed concern over the changing nature of violence in the state.”

“The initial phase of violence was highly political and sensitive but we cannot say what is happening now. The situation is very chaotic,” the CM added, saying he had briefed Shah over the “evolving situation” in Manipur.

Singh stated that Shah inquired about the ongoing arson and destruction of government property. “He brought up attacks on the homes of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and state minister Sushindro Meitei… and impeding the movement of security forces….he has assured the central government that all possible steps will be taken to restore normalcy in Manipur.”

The Manipur chief minister also stated that he had submitted to Shah a report on the state government’s efforts to restore normalcy.

Manipur violence: On 2nd day of joint operation 35 weapons, ammunition recovered

June 9, 2023, 2:19 pm

An official revealed that security personnel discovered at least 35 firearms and warlike goods during combined combing operations in ethnically Manipur violence.

Dominance of the artery national highway 37, which connects the capital Imphal with Assam and other areas of the country, was carried out as part of the operations to enable free movement of important goods to and from Manipur, he said.

The official stated that 35 weapons of various types, ammunition, and warlike stores were recovered on the second day of joint combing operations in the hills and valley sector on Thursday, and that the security forces are implementing confidence-building measures and a people-centric approach to alleviate the hardships of the people affected by the month-long ethnic strife in the northeastern state.

The security forces recovered 29 weapons, mostly automatic, mortars, hand grenades, small arms, ammo, and warlike items on the first day of the joint combing operations on Wednesday.

He stated that during combing operations in non-AFSPA regions, Judges were present. To ensure that the local populace is not inconvenienced, adequate steps were implemented throughout the combing operations, which were aimed at de-escalating tensions among communities through physical dominance as well as the seizure of guns and ammunition.

At least 100 people were killed and 310 more were injured in the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur a month ago. There are approximately 37,450 individuals housed in 272 relief camps. Clashes erupted on May 3 during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill areas to protest the Meitei community’s desire for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation.