Union home minister Amit Shah called for peace in Manipur and assured the people of justice. He announced his intention to visit the state in a few days, where he plans to stay for three days and engage in discussions with the people of Manipur to establish peace.
Addressing the recent clashes in Manipur following a court verdict, Amit Shah appealed to both groups involved to maintain peace, assuring them that justice would be served to everyone. He expressed his commitment to personally visiting Manipur to engage in conversations and work towards establishing lasting peace in the region.
Manipur has witnessed episodes of ethnic violence, with chief minister N Biren Singh stating that around 60 people have lost their lives. Instances of houses being burnt and sporadic incidents of violence have been reported from various parts of the state, leading to concerns over peace and order. Opposition parties have criticized the BJP-led government in Manipur, accusing it of failing to maintain peace and leaving thousands of people homeless.
The Supreme Court, taking cognizance of the situation, directed the Manipur government to submit a fresh status report on the security, relief, and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by the violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The court emphasized that maintaining law and order is a state subject but assured that it would ensure the matter receives due attention from the political executive.
In response to the court’s directive, the Centre and the state governments submitted a status report, highlighting the efforts made to improve the situation. According to the report, 318 relief camps have been established, providing relief to over 47,914 individuals affected by the violence. Additionally, 626 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered.
While acknowledging that determining responsibility is not within the court’s purview, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud emphasized the court’s role in ensuring that the political arm of the government remains attentive to the matter. The CJI highlighted that law and order fall under the jurisdiction of the state, but it is the responsibility of the Supreme Court to prevent negligence on the part of the political executive.
