SC criticizes Manipur HC order as ‘factually wrong’ and takes a strong view

As reported by Bar & Bench, during the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta reported that individuals stranded due to adverse circumstances are being provided assistance by being relocated to relief camps, while district magistrates are facilitating their return to their respective hometowns. So far, approximately 46,000 people have received aid, with around 3,000 individuals being assisted through flights.

In response to a request made by the authorities, the High Court (HC) extended the implementation period from one month to one year.

However, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) expressed the need to intervene and nullify the order issued by the Manipur HC.

The CJI stated that the HC’s decision was factually incorrect, and despite granting Justice Muralidharan an opportunity to rectify the error, no corrective measures were taken. The CJI emphasized the necessity of taking a firm stance against the flawed decision.

“It is clear if High Court judges do not follow constitutional bench judgments then what should we do? It is very clear,” said the CJI.

More than 5,800 people from violence-hit Manipur have fled to Mizoram and taken shelter in different districts, officials said, adding that a total of 5,822 people, belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community, are lodged at temporary relief camps across six districts of Mizoram.

Currently, Aizawal district has the highest number of such displaced people in 2021, followed by Kolasib (1,847) and Saitual (1,790), the officials said.

The clashes had broken out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

(With agencies’ inputs)