Four Govt Quarters Gutted, SC Refuses Army Deployment: Top Developments In Manipur Ethnic Violence

A massive fire broke out in Manipur on July 11 that gutted four government quarters in Langol, Imphal West.?

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Some reports blamed it on unidentified miscreants; other reports said that a short circuit is the reason behind the fire.

While this is a developing story, several arson incidents have been reported from the state recently, as no end seems to be in sight to the ethnic clashes that began in Manipur in May.?

Responding to petitions for greater security in the State, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to issue directions to the Indian Army and paramilitary forces to provide security in tribal areas in Manipur.

The Court underlined that no such directions had been issued to the Indian army in the last 72 years.?SC said, "However we impress upon state and union to ensure there is protection of life and liberty of people in Manipur."

Arson attacks?

In mid-June, the official residence of Manipur's only woman minister was set on fire.?

Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen was elected to the state assembly last year from the tribal-dominated Kangpokpi assembly seat and is the sole woman in the 12-member ministry of Biren Singh.?

On the afternoon of June 15, a mob set several houses on fire.?

PTI

In retaliation, security forces were forced to fire tear gas shells at the crowds in an attempt to control the mob.?

On June 24, a group of people torched?Manipur minister L Susindro's private godown at Chingarel in Imphal East district, reducing it to ashes.?

How violence began?

The violence began in the first week of May after a rally by the indigenous communities against moves to grant tribal status to the main ethnic group (Meiti) in the state.?

It soon spiralled into a serious ethnic clash - leaving at least 70 dead, more than 200 injured and thousands displaced.?

Possible suggestions to alleviate situation?

In response to pleas concerning the recent violence in Manipur, the Supreme Court on July 11 directed the Manipur Government to take action on certain suggestions put forth by the petitioners to alleviate the situation in the state.?

Some suggestions put forward (by Zomi Students Federation of India) were:?

1. Several bodies are reported to be lying unclaimed in hospitals across Imphal, but their families are unable to reach these mortuaries. So, the state may designate an officer who can be contacted and will facilitate such families' visits to mortuaries under protection.?
2. The doctors deputed by the health ministry may be sent to the district hospitals in the hill districts to address the shortage of doctors in hospitals.?
3. The shortage of essential medicines, Dialysis Machines, and CT Scan Machines in the district hospitals must be addressed.?
4. Examinations of Manipur University need to be deferred since schools and colleges in the hill districts have been converted into relief camps, and a large number of students and university staff have been forced to flee their homes.?
5. Cellular services need to be restored.?
6. The acute shortage of drinking water, food, sanitation, shelter, and bedding for the displaced persons staying at the relief camps run by community self-help groups needs to be addressed at the earliest.?
7. Appropriate restraint is to be exercised by persons holding official positions from making inciting or provocative remarks directed at any particular community that may exacerbate the conflict.
8. A status report is to be called for on the number of arms looted from the police armouries, the number of such arms recovered, and the measures being undertaken for the recovery of the remaining arms.?
9. A committee should be set up having representatives of both the affected communities and chaired by a retired judge of this Hon’ble Court to oversee rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures and to address grievances concerning the same. This will ensure neutrality and build confidence in the impartiality of the relief and rehabilitation measures.?

Is anyone listening??

The Manipur violence has only escalated over the last couple of months. The state has faced an immense loss of life and property. Thousands have been displaced, and education seems to be at a standstill, putting the future of school-going children in doubt.?

AFP

As retired Lieutenant General from Manipur, Lt Gen L Nishikanta Singh, tweeted on June 15, "The state is now 'stateless'. Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria, etc. It appears Manipur has been left to stew in its own juice. Is anyone listening?"? ??

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