Hearing a batch of pleas on the Manipur situation, including one challenging the Manipur High Court order on the issue of Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, the Supreme Court on Monday questioned one of the advocates representing the original petitioners (who sought quotas for Meitei community) why he did not inform the high court about the two Constitution bench judgments showing the fact that HC does not have the power to recommend reservation.
“You never told the high court that this power the high court does not have. These are presidential powers...,” said the bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala.
The Supreme Court asked the Centre and the Manipur Government to step up relief and rehabilitation efforts for those hit by ethnic violence, besides protecting places of worship, many of which were targeted during the mayhem.
While listing out steps taken to deal with the situation, the Centre told the SC that no untoward incidents have been reported in Manipur in the last two days and the situation there is gradually returning to normalcy.
The Bench said since Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has maintained action is being taken by the State before a competent forum with regard to reservation for Meiteis, the apex court will not go into it any further.
“We must give that forum an opportunity to correct itself,” it said, adding the top court has made its concerns very clear to the solicitor general.
The bench said right now, its immediate target is “protection, restitution and stabilisation” and it is concerned about only these humanitarian problems.
The bench noted in its order, “The solicitor general has stated that the State of Manipur is taking appropriate steps in respect of order of a single judge of the high court dated March 27, 2023 by moving the competent forum in that regard.”
Terming the aftermath of the violence “humanitarian issues”, the apex court emphasised that due arrangements must be made in the relief camps and the people sheltered there be provided with basic amenities like food, ration and medical facilities. “We are concerned very deeply about the loss of lives, about the loss of properties and the government is taking steps....,” said the SC.
The bench said, having expressed its concerns, it must leave it to the Government to take action because ultimately the court can’t say that go to this area with so much of equipment. The top court said it has no reason to doubt what the government is doing to tackle the situation. The bench said the authorities should ensure that due arrangements are made in relief camps for providing all basic amenities, and make endeavour for rehabilitation of those displaced and protect places of religious worship.
The Solicitor General informed the bench that 52 companies of the central armed police forces (CAPF) and 105 columns of the Army/Assam Rifles have been deployed in Manipur and flag marches have been conducted in the disturbed areas. He said a senior former police officer has been appointed as security advisor by the state and another senior officer has been repatriated yesterday from central deputation to serve as the chief secretary to the Government of Manipur.
Mehta said peace meetings have been conducted and a constant vigil is being maintained. He said helicopters and drones are being used to monitor the situation in addition to extensive deployment of security forces. Relief camps have been opened for displaced persons where ration and medical help are being provided. The top law officer also said movement of stranded persons is being facilitated by the security forces.