Situation in state is improving says Manipur Govt to SC
On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered the Manipur Govt to submit an updated status report on the state’s ethnic violence. The case will be heard again by the court on July 10.
During the brief hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the Manipur Govt, informed the Supreme Court that the situation in the state is improving “though slowly.”
The hearing comes a day after the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), two umbrella Kuki organisations, removed barriers on National Highway 2 in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.
The two organisations, representing former militant groups that have signed cease-fire agreements with the government, stated in a joint statement that the highway blockade had been withdrawn immediately in response to an appeal by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to the NGOs, the home minister demonstrated a “deep concern to restore peace and harmony” in the state.
However, the Kuki civil society group Committee for Tribal Unity (COTU), which launched a blockage on NH-2 two months ago, has yet to publicly retract its protest.
NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) are the two national highways in Manipur.
Since the outbreak of violence in Manipur on May 3, Kuki outfits have been blocking the NH-2, which was temporarily reopened following Shah’s arrival in late May.
More than 100 individuals have died in ethnic violence in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki groups.
Meiteis comprise around 53% of Manipur’s population and dwell primarily in the Imphal Valley. Tribals, such as the Nagas and Kukis, comprise another 40% of the population and live in the hill districts.
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