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Synopsis

Faced with ethnic violence for over two months, the Manipur government has told the Supreme Court that it is putting best effort in safeguarding rights and security of all inhabitants irrespective of caste, creed, religion and tribe or community.

"The state government is also committed to take into account the claims and counter claims of all stakeholders and communities in a holistic manner to bring normalcy in the state at the earliest," it said.

On Monday, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha decided to hear the matter on Tuesday, seeking positive suggestions from the petitioners before it.

As senior advocate Colin Gonsalves sought to raise the issue of killings of Kukis, the bench said, "We don't want this platform to escalate the situation or furthering violence. We cannot take over and law and order apparatus on the ground. It is for the elected government."

"Have a look at the status report and come back with some concrete positive suggestion," the bench told the counsel for Manipur Tribal Forum.

In an updated status, the state government sought permission from the court for taking its own recourse to take up possible steps to bring normalcy in the state after exercising due diligence and without interference in terms of legal, security, political intervention, dialogue, rehabilitation, resettlement, compensation, etc. 

As far as confidence building measures are concerned, the state government said the central government has constituted a Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Ajay Lamba, former Chief Justice of Guahati High Court for the purpose of making an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, namely, incidents of violence.

"The genesis of the present conflict will be investigated by the Commission of Enquiry and a fact-based conclusion as to the causes will be arrived at," it said.

Among other steps, the state government said as per the police report, around 5995 FIRs have been registered as of July 4, 2023 and are being investigated in connection with different allegations, mishappenings and offences that happened during the ongoing crises.

As many as six "important FIRs'' had been transferred to CBI for investigation independently and with transparency, it said.2000. 

"Special Helicopter Service started for Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal Districts at a nominal cost of Rs 2000. Additional doctors were deputed by Health Ministry from neighboring states to assist with provisioning of medical facilities in relief camps. Reconstruction of lost documents- Aadhaar, Health Cards, Bank Passbooks, etc has started. Livelihood generating activities such as candle making, incense sticks making etc have also been taken up in the camps," it said.

Among the relief and rehabilitation measures, the state government submitted that as on July 4, 354 relief camps are operational in the affected areas with amenities and medical care made available for the convenience of the inmates.

"District administration, volunteers and Civil Society organisations (CSO) have been coordinating and providing relief measures as humanitarian assistance to a great extent, thereby facilitating the supply of relief material," it said, adding the central government has provided approval for assistance of Rs 101 Crore for management of relief camps.

The state government had also sanctioned contingent fund of Rs 12 crore for meeting exigencies in providing relief measures. It is stated that a total of Rs 5.27 crore has been sanctioned for extending one time assistance (Rs 1000 per person) to the persons living in relief camps for clothing and personal belongings. Thus, a family of five gets an amount of Rs. 5000 for clothing and personal belongings, while the other needs of the family are being met separately in the camp. 

The state government also said ex-Gratia of Rs 10.00 lakhs (50% state & 50% from central scheme for assistance to civilian victims - CSACV) for the dead expired while Rs 2.00 Lakh for grievous injuries Rs 25000 for non-grievous injuries have been earmarked.

Besides, Rs 2 lakh for the families of those whose houses have been burnt down is being provided after assessment, it said.

"Out a total of 241 bank branches in the State, 218 have been opened as on 06.07.2023. Efforts are being made to make the remaining 23 branches operational at the earliest. Out of 396 ATMs, 320 are functioning. Banks have been requested to make all-out efforts to ensure that the remaining 70 ATMs are also made functional at the earliest," it said.

The state government also submitted that the matter may be taken up by the petitioners and other parties with utmost sensitivity as any misinformation or rumour or even suspicion may aggravate the situation in the State of Manipur as things are slowly returning to normalcy with great efforts from the central as well as the state government. 

"It is stated that even if one-sided arguments are being portrayed in the court - with the advent of live reporting, there is a possibility of the same affecting the public order in the state of Manipur. It is therefore desirable that the parties may not argue referring to the names of the tribes, religion, etc which may have an adverse impact on the ground, whether intended or not," it said.

With regard to security measures, it said the security deployment is being planned, implemented and reviewed on a daily basis by the Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur. 

"In this regard, the State Police is spearheading the efforts to bring normalcy to the State under the leadership of the newly appointed Director General of Police. Furthermore, standard operating procedures (SCOP) have been put in place to deal with general area domination as well as to address any emergent situations," it said.

"State security forces consisting of Civil Police, IRB, MR, Commandos, VDF etc, 124 Coys of CAPF and 184 Column of Army have been deployed for assisting in the area domination, sanitisation and maintenance of law and order situation in the State. Also arrangement of security for strategic points and locations of local importance, public properties, installations, etc. had been made. It is stated that real time intelligence gathering has been strengthened," it said.

So as supply of essential goods and fuels was concerned, the state government said, 7,158 trucks and oil tankers have so far carried materials from Jiribam into the State as well as Districts (from 1st June 2023 till 4th July 2023). Furthermore, adequate security arrangements have made to secure the highways for maintaining uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in the State. 

As much as 30,000 MT of rice was allotted by the central government through Food Corporation of India (FCI) for sale at Rs 32/Kg. Moreover, in order to control prices of essential commodities in the market, 30 Trucks of Onion/ Potato were bought from National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED). 

With regard to education, the state government said school going students staying in relief camps have been identified, and efforts are underway to link them to the nearest school possible. In this regard, schools for Classes I to VI have been opened with effect from 5th July, 2023. Furthermore, except 96 schools where relief measures are still operational, all schools have been asked to open, subject to assessment of local situation. 

Further, competitive exams like UPSC, NEET (UG), CUET (UG), CUET (PG) and semester examinations of Manipur University have been conducted with due flexibility ensuring participation of inhabitants of all districts, it said.

Case Title: DINGANGLUNG GANGMEI Vs.
MUTUM CHURAMANI MEITEI & ORS.