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Synopsis

In the pleas seeking to secure the Manipuri tribal areas, the Supreme today ordered that due arrangements must be made in the relief camps organised by the government and all necessary precautions must be taken for rehabilitation of displaced persons.

"Medical care should also be provided in relief camps", added a CJI Chandrachud led bench.

Amidst tensions escalating in the State of Manipur, two Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) were filed before the Supreme Court against the High Court's order directing the Centre and the State governments to include the Meetei/Meitei community of the State in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Indian Constitution as a "tribe" of Manipur.

Moreover, the plea filed by Manipur Tribal Forum sought directions to the Centre and the State to evacuate the Manipuri Tribals who fled to CRPF Lamphel Camp (3500 people), CRPF Camp near the DC office (700 people approximately), Koirengei Camp (300 people) as well as small pockets of tribals held up in Imphal (both east and west) as well as the villages surrounding Imphal Valley and take them to their respective Hill District under central forces escort to their respective areas of residence in the hill districts.

It also sought directions to the Central Forces to immediately make secure and safe the areas where the tribals are currently residing and where it is anticipated by the tribals that further attacks are likely to take place shortly.

The plea has further alleged that 30 tribal persons were killed by the dominant community and 132 were not a single FIR has been filed. “Neither FIR was registered nor is there any investigation taking place as the police itself is on the side of the dominant community and has stood by idle while the killings took place”, it added.

SG Tushar Mehta today told the bench that as far as the High Court's order was considered, State government was already taking steps.

"So far as situation on ground is concerned, these steps are being taken. One senior officer has been appointed as the Chief Advisory Officer by the state and one by the Centre too, to take steps. Helicopters and drones are used to monitor, movement of stranded persons have been regulated", the SG added.

The CJI then posed question on three aspects: First, how many relief camps were available, services provided. Second, if the government was trying to bring the displaced persons back to their homes and third, if places of religious worship were being protected.

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves also took court through his reservations about the governments steps and his assertions made in his plea.

"We have made our concerns very clear to the Solicitor, this is a humanitarian problem, and the government is taking action. Our primary concern is rehabilitation and safety of the people.. Mr Gonsalves, you may flag your concerns in an appropriate manner, so that these proceeding do not become another platform to destabilize. Please don't read out everything, you may flag these pages, we will read..", the bench also comprising Justices Pardiwala and Narasimha added.

Court then directed for the pleas to be listed on May 17, 2023.

Notably, another petition has also been filed by the Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and BJP MLA Dinganglung Gangmei argues that the impugned order has resulted in unrest in Manipur, causing the death of 19 people.

“Due to the impugned order tension between both the community have taken place and violent clashes have erupted across the state. As a result of it so far 19 tribal people have been killed, various places in the states are blocked, the internet is completely shut down and more people are at risk of losing their lives”, the plea read.

Case Title: Manipur Tribal Forum vs. Union of India