'Possibility Of Fresh Violence' : Manipur High Court Orders To Maintain Status Quo Ante On Land Where Mass Burial Of Kuki-Zo Victims Was Proposed

The Manipur High Court, after an urgent hearing held at 5 AM on Thursday, ordered to maintain status quo ante with respect to a land where the mass burial of the bodies of the members of the Kuki-Zo community, who got killed in the recent ethnic clashes, was proposed to be carried out.The Court observed that the interim order was necessary taking into account "the potentiality of aggravating the already volatile law and order situation and the possibility of igniting a fresh wave of violence and bloodshed due to the gathering of a large mob from both the communities at the land in question".The Court also allowed the representatives of Kuki-Zo community to apply to officials for allotment of alternate site within a week. It also urged the Central and State governments to try and come up with “amicable settlements” in the matter. The order was passed in a petition filed by International Meeteis Forum.The case, which was scheduled to be heard before the Special Bench comprising Justice A. Bimol Singh and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma could not be earlier taken up as Justice Singh was unable to preside over the hearing due to personal inconvenience. Subsequently, the Acting Chief Justice, Justice MV Muralidaran and Justice Guneshwar Sharma heard the matter.The urgency in the matter was accentuated when Mr. H. Debendra, Deputy Advocate General of Manipur, brought to the attention of the Acting Chief Justice that a large mob from both communities had gathered around the disputed land, and the situation could escalate into violence at any moment. The senior counsel for the petitioner, Mr. M. Hemchandra, also voiced the need for an immediate resolution.Responding promptly to the counsel's request, the Acting Chief Justice, Mr. MV Muralidaran directed the matter to be taken up at 6:00 A.M today.During the hearing, Mr. Kh. Samarjit, Deputy Solicitor General of India, informed the court that the Central Government had already deployed additional Central Armed Police Forces and Army personnel at the request of the State Government to handle the tense situation.After carefully considering the potential for further violence and bloodshed, the High Court arrived at a crucial decision to issue the following interim directions:The State Government, the Central Government, and their respective law enforcement agencies are directed to maintain the status quo ante of the disputed land until the next date of hearing.All respondents (No. 1-10) are ordered to take effective measures to control the law and order situation in and around the disputed land.The Central and State Governments, along with respondents No. 11 and 12, are directed to make earnest efforts towards an amicable settlement in the matter. Additionally, the Kuki-Zo community representatives are given the liberty to apply for land allotment for burial purposes within one week.The High Court also issued notice to tribal bodies Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum and the Joint Philanthropic Organisations (JPO )and posted the matter for next hearing on August 9.According to media reports, a decision was taken by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) to bury the bodies of 35 Kuki victims at Torbung area, which is near to Meitei settlements. Meitei groups objected to this move.Case Title: International Meeteis Forum Vs State of ManipurClick Here To Read/Download Order

'Possibility Of Fresh Violence' : Manipur High Court Orders To Maintain Status Quo Ante On Land Where Mass Burial Of Kuki-Zo Victims Was Proposed

Basit Amin Makhdoomi

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