Manipur violence: SC refuses urgent hearing on plea seeking Army protection for Kuki tribals

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up urgently a plea for deployment of Army personnel to take control of law and order situation in Manipur affected by a spate of violence.

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and M M Sundresh rejected the plea by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves to hear the matter on Tuesday or Wednesday.

He said despite assurances given by the government to curb violence, 70 tribals had been killed.

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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, however, opposed the plea contending that similar plea was made earlier which was rejected by the court.

Gonsalves then said the main matter is coming up for hearing on July 17. By then, 50 more people would be killed, he apprehended.

The court, however, posted the matter for consideration on July 3.

In an application, the Manipur Tribal Forum also sought lodging of FIRs against Meitei leaders, alleging both the Union government and the Chief Minister of Manipur have embarked jointly on a communal agenda for the ethnic cleansing of the Kukis.

Over 100 people have lost their lives as clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 after the High Court's judgement to consider granting Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to Hindu Meitei community.

Dealing with matters arising out of the HC's orders, the Supreme Court had on May 17 said it will ensure that the political executive does not turn a blind eye to the law and order situation in Manipur, while emphasising that it won’t enter into political arena.

It had asked the state government to file a fresh status report on measures taken for security and relief and rehabilitation of people affected by violence.