IYC chief granted protection from SC in Assam harassment case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Center and the Manipur government to take necessary steps to enhance security and relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of ethnic violence in the northeastern state.
Citing “humanitarian issues” following the violence, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud stressed that adequate arrangements should be made in the relief camps and that the people sheltering there should be provided with food, ration and medical facilities. Basic facilities should be provided.
“We are deeply concerned about the loss of life and property,” the Supreme Court said.
The bench, also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, directed that all necessary steps be taken for the resettlement of the displaced persons and that adequate efforts be made to protect religious places of worship.
Appearing for the Center and the State Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the bench of the steps taken to deal with the situation.
He said that 52 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in the violence-affected areas of Manipur, apart from troops of the Army and Assam Rifles.
He told the bench that flag marches are being conducted in troubled areas and peace meetings are being held.
The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions on the situation in Manipur, in which a ruling BJP MLA had challenged the High Court’s order granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community. There was a PIL by a tribal organization seeking an SIT probe into the violence. which rocked the northeastern state last week.
