SC Asks Manipur Government to File Updated Status Report, RRAG Suggests President’s Rule

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, July 3: Even as the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Manipur government to file an updated status report after the state government insisted that the situation in the riot-torn state was “improving, though slowly,” a Delhi-based think tank group has suggested the centre to dismiss the N Biren Singh government and impose President’s rule in the north-eastern state.

“The current arrangement of Chief Minister Biren Singh overseeing security in the valley and the Ministry of Home Affairs supervising the hills only deepens the division,” Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) director Suhas Chakma emphasised said. “The failure to bring the situation under control after the imposition of Article 355 of the Constitution of India on May 6 calls for the imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution to provide a government that is perceived as neutral.” Chakma said.

The independent think tank RRAG conducts risk analysis to prevent violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms with a specific focus on the threats to the rule of law and democracy.

Even as fresh violence erupted on Sunday killing at least four people, the Manipur Government insisted in the Supreme Court on Monday that the situation in the State was “improving, though slowly,” but a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud ordered the State Government to file an updated status report detailing the actual situation on the ground before July 10, the next day of hearing.

“We want to know about the rehabilitation efforts, the recovery of arms and the law and order situation on the ground. Give us a detailed report,” Chief Justice Chandrachud addressed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Manipur Government.

The court’s order came after senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for petitioner Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi (MTFD), said the situation was “extreme”. He said a person was reported to have been “beheaded” in the latest bout of violence. Mehta in turn urged the petitioner side not to bring “communal” colour into the case. “The situation is improving, though slowly. The problem is being tackled,” he persisted.

Though claiming an “improvement” in the situation, the government revealed a sizeable deployment of defence and security forces in the State. “The deployment, apart from the civil police, include reserve battalions, Manipur Rifles, commandos, 114 companies of CAPF and 184 columns of the Army… There are 355 relief camps. The curfew has been reduced to five hours… There is an improvement,” the Solicitor General said.

The deployment statistics show that the size of the security forces had burgeoned since May 8, when the Solicitor General had told the Supreme Court that 52 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and 105 columns of the Army/Assam Rifles were deployed in the State. Past hearings in May and June had also seen the State government give oral assurances to the top court about efforts to control the violence.

In fact, in a hearing on May 17, the Solicitor General had said the situation in the State had “improved a lot.” He had said the State was “peaceful and quiet.” The State had also maintained, in earlier court hearings, that its first priority was to “restore calm” and “security forces were doing their best.”

On Monday, Mr. Gonsalves countered that the violence and “killings” had continued despite the “solemn assurances” given by the government in the Supreme Court to protect the people. “There were 10 or 20 deaths when the court took up the case… it is 110 today… The loss of lives is hugely accelerating,” he submitted. He said there were two militant groups who have publicly declared their intent of violence against the Kukis. “Not a single person has been arrested,” Gonsalves submitted.

The court posted the case for hearing on Monday. The MTFD application has sought “immediate directions to the Army to take full control of the law and order and public order situation in the districts of Churachanpur, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Imphal East, Imphal West and villages in Manipur to ensure with immediate effect that the killing of Kukis comes to an end.”

The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur began on May 3, triggered by the issue of granting Schedule Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. According to RRAG, despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit from May 29 to June 2 to engage with the warring groups, the situation remains uncontrolled.

Chakma warned that the involvement of the insurgent groups of the Meiteis and the Kukis in the riots has the potential to spread the insurgency across the north-eastern region and destabilise the region.

To restore control in Manipur, RRAG proposed the imposition of President’s Rule, revitalising the peace process under the Governor’s leadership, and ensuring safe rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced individuals. The conflict has escalated over the past two months, resulting in at least 120 fatalities and displacing around 70,000 people, Chakma informed.

“With little improvement of the situation in Manipur as reflected from the killing of 10 people on July 2, there is little possibility for the return of the majority displaced people to their original homes,” he further said. The displaced include 50,698 individuals in relief camps within Manipur, while others sought refuge in Mizoram, Assam, and Meghalaya. Kukis faced opposition in settling in other states, particularly in Meghalaya.

Chakma noted that the situation remains grim, with little hope for the majority of displaced individuals to return to their original homes. He explained, “There has not been any accountability for the looting of the arms and arming of the civilians, failure to enforce the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with 23 underground outfits since August 2008 and failure to bring the situation under control despite the imposition of Article 355 of the Constitution on May 6.”

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