Manipur Violence: The northeastern state of Manipur has been rocked by violence since the Manipur high court on March 27 ordered the state government to recommend adding the Meitei community to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. On Tuesday, the court granted a review petition to overturn that decision, which prompted the state’s two largest communities to flee to their ancestral homes.
Union and State Governments Ordered to Address Meitei
The court sent notices to the Union and state governments on Monday based on the petition and requested a response. Under the condition of anonymity, a top Union government official stated that both would probably advise against designating the Meitei community as a ST, but this individual added that this would probably disappoint the people and lead to new protests. A bench led by acting chief justice MV Muralidharan—who also wrote the contentious March 27 order—admitted the Meitei Tribes Union’s (MTU) review petition for hearing. Justice Muralidharan instructed the Manipur government in the order to respond to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry regarding a file pertaining to the plea to add the Meiteis to the ST list. The high court noted that starting in 2013, the Meiteis had sent the Centre many requests for ST classification, which had then been passed on to the state government for a formal recommendation. However, the high court claimed that despite being told to answer to the Union government, the state administration never took any action. The HC further directed the first respondent to “expeditiously, preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, consider the petitioners’ case for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list.” In the petition, a specific section of the ruling has been contested.
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Request for Revision of Specific Section in Meitei Community’s ST Petition
This section of the order is the one for which we have asked for a revision. According to a Supreme Court decision, the President and the Parliament have the authority to include or exclude any community. Therefore, this directive does not follow that,” said Ajoy Pebam, an attorney for MTU. He continued, “We have only requested that they amend the Single Bench order. “Because it is not authorised to grant ST status, we want the Manipur government to respond to the letter,” The review petition has been scheduled for July 5 by the supreme court. In the violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that started on May 3 when a Tribal Solidarity March was arranged in the hill areas to protest against the high court judgement urging the government to consider giving the dominant Meitei clan tribal status, about 115 people have lost their lives.The majority of Meiteis, who make up around 53% of the population of Manipur, reside in the Imphal Valley.Another 40% of the population is made up of the Naga and Kuki tribes, who live in the hill districts.The Manipur High Court ordered the state administration to offer restricted internet access at specific locations in another decision on Friday.On Tuesday, the judgement rendered by Justices Ahanthem Bimol Singh and A Guneshwar Sharma was posted.Since May 3, the state has had an internet prohibition.
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Manipur Administration Extends Restrictions Despite High Court’s Ruling
The court further ordered telecom service providers to submit affidavits demonstrating the viability of providing the general public with restricted internet access by blocking social media websites.This case will be heard by the bench next on June 23.The Manipur administration on Tuesday prolonged the ban for five more days until 3 p.m. on June 25 in order to prevent further disruption of peace and public order in the state, despite the High Court’s judgement allowing restricted internet services to resume in the state.The ban will continue to be in effect for everyone, “except for those who have been specifically exempted by the government and may be exempted subsequently, and Internet Lease Line (ILL) on a case-by-case basis as permitted by competent authority,” according to the order issued by commissioner (home) T. Ranjit Singh.
Assam Rifles Detain Suspected UNLF Cadres in Manipur
In the meantime, Assam Rifles men detained “four suspected cadres of United National Liberation Front (UNLF),” a Meitei rebel organisation in Manipur, on Monday night near Lilong in Thoubal district. “On the evening of June 19, a mobile vehicle check post was set up close to police station Lilong in response to intelligence inputs. One 51 mm mortal and four alleged (UNLF) cadres were taken into custody and turned over to authorities, according to a tweet from the Indian Army’s Spear Corps division. According to reports, locals attempted to storm the Lilong police station to protest the arrests. However, they were scattered by members of the Assam Rifles and the state police.
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