In a significant development, the Manipur Tribunal Forum has filed a fresh Interlocutory Application (IA) in the Supreme Court, appealing for urgent intervention to address the escalating crisis in the state. The forum alleges that the Union of India (UOI) and the Chief Minister of Manipur have jointly embarked on a communal agenda, leading to the ethnic cleansing of the Kuki tribe.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the IA emphasizes the urgent need for the Indian Army's protection, as the state's police force and government are no longer trusted by the Kuki tribe. Despite assurances given by the Solicitor General in the previous hearing, the forum claims that no relief has been granted, resulting in dire consequences for the Kuki community.
The forum cites shocking statistics to support its claim, stating that since the assurances were given, over 81 Kukis have been killed, 237 churches and 73 administration buildings have been burnt, 141 villages have been destroyed, and a staggering 31,410 Kukis have been displaced from their homes. Consequently, the forum argues that the authorities' assurances were made in a non-serious fashion and lacked any intention of implementation, rendering them useless and meaningless.
Expressing disappointment with the assurances given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the forum hopes for a genuine and sincere commitment from him. It stresses that the Home Minister must work towards convincing the tribal community of Manipur of his sincerity and determination to address the ongoing crisis.
Furthermore, the forum expresses its lack of confidence in the commission of inquiry formed by the Centre, led by former Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajai Lamba. It urges the quashing of the current commission and advocates for the establishment of a single-member commission headed by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice and Law Commission chairperson AP Shah.
The forum strongly refutes the portrayal of a "clash" between the Meiteis and the tribals in the media, asserting that the two communities have coexisted despite their differences. It claims that certain groups, specifically the "Arambai Tenggol" with the backing of state machinery and the "Meitei Leepun" with a Meitei nationalist agenda, are responsible for all the attacks. The forum insists that the identification of these groups is crucial to prevent them from carrying out further assaults, thereby preserving any semblance of peace.
To address the immediate needs in the state, the IA emphasizes the requirement for cold storage facilities and the immediate conduction of autopsies for the mounting number of deceased individuals. Additionally, the forum highlights the inadequacy of the current relief camps established in Manipur.
The IA also raises concerns about the involvement of senior politicians at both the central and state levels in the drug trade. It alleges that prominent drug lords are closely related to former and current Chief Ministers of Manipur, and that drug manufacturing facilities operate with the knowledge of the central government. These allegations further erode trust in the state's governance and law enforcement.
In light of these distressing circumstances, the forum seeks directions from the Supreme Court to empower the Indian Army to assume full control over law and order and public order in the districts of Churachanpur, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Imphal East, and Imphal West. It also calls for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to independently investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks on the tribal community in Manipur.
Advocate Satya Mitra, along with Advocates Hetvi Patel and Kaoliangpou Kamei, filed the IA on behalf of the forum. The Supreme Court's intervention is eagerly anticipated as Manipur's tribal population desperately seeks protection and justice in the face of the ongoing crisis.
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