Manipur violence: Supreme Court seeks fresh status report from government

 

Digital Desk: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Manipur government to submit an updated status report on ethnic violence in the state. The case will be heard again by the court on July 10.

 

During the brief hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre and the Manipur government, told the Supreme Court that the situation in the state is improving "slowly."

 

The hearing comes a day after the United Peoples' Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), two umbrella Kuki organizations, withdrew roadblocks in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on National Highway 2.

 

In a joint statement, the two organizations, which represent former militant groups that have signed cease-fire agreements with the government, claimed the highway roadblock has been withdrawn with immediate effect, in response to an appeal by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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The organizations stated that the home minister showed "deep concern to restore peace and harmony" in the state.

 

However, the Kuki civil society group Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), which announced a roadblock on NH-2 two months ago, has not officially withdrawn the agitation.

 

Manipur has two national highways, NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam).

 

Since the outbreak of violence in Manipur on May 3, Kuki outfits have blocked the NH-2, which was temporarily opened during Shah's arrival in late May.

 

More than 100 people have died as a result of ethnic conflict in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

 

Meiteis make up around 53% of Manipur's population and dwell primarily in the Imphal Valley. Tribals – Nagas and Kukis – make up another 40% of the population and live in the hill districts.