At least nine tribal MLAs and various civil society groups from the hill areas of Manipur held a meeting in Aizawl on Wednesday to discuss the prevailing situation in the northeastern state, which was recently rocked by ethnic violence, a leader of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) said.
The ITLF, comprising various civil society organisations of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar group in Manipur, was recently formed during an eviction drive that preceded the strife.
“The tribal legislators from Manipur and ITLF leaders held a consultative meeting on Wednesday evening to review the situation in the state and discuss the political agenda and future course of action,” the ITLF leader told PTI.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court directed the Manipur Government to take steps to foster confidence and ensure peace and tranquillity in the state torn by ethnic violence, asserting being the top-most court it can ensure that the political executive exercises its power and does not turn “a blind eye” to the situation.
Taking note of submissions on alleged provocative statements by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the top court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to advise the constitutional functionary restraint.
“Please advise the constitutional authority to make statements with a sense of responsibility,” said the bench of Chief Justice DY Chanrachud and justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala.
The Bench made clear it will not deal with legal issues arising out of the Manipur High Court’s decision on grant of reservation to majority Meiteis as the pleas challenging the order were pending with the larger division bench there.