The Supreme Court has asked the Manipur government to file a fresh status report on the violence between the Meitei and the Kuki communities in the state. The Supreme Court has posted the matter for hearing to the first week of July. The Centre has told the top court that a status report has been filed in connection with the Manipur violent clashes and the situation has improved, reported ANI. Centre said that there were some issues at the state border and that maintaining peace and tranquillity is important for the government. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the apex court that the intention is to restore peace in the state.
Informing the top court about the steps taken, he said that a total of 315 relief camps manned by district police and CAPF have been established. The state government has sanctioned a contingency fund of Rs 3 crores for relief measures and around 46,000 people have received help so far, Mehta added. While hearing the case, CJI DY Chandrachud said the court has to stay the order of the Manipur High Court, where the HC asked the Manipur government to consider recommending to the Centre the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list.
Responding to it, SG Mehta said that considering the position on the ground, the government chose not to seek a stay and only seek an extension, because it would have an impact on the situation on the ground. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has constituted a three-member fact-finding team to ascertain the causes of widespread violence in Manipur and evaluate its extent.
Meanwhile, the Manipur government extended the suspension of internet services across the state for another five days till May 20, while it launched a helpline number to curb the menace of misinformation in the state. An order issued by Manipur Home Commissioner H Gyan Prakash stated that the suspension on internet services was being extended for another five days in the entire jurisdiction of Manipur as there were still reports of fighting amongst the volunteers and youth of major communities, residing in the state, along with also reports of arson.
The order stated that all internet services, including mobile data and broadband, will continue to remain suspended in the state, with immediate effect, to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order.