Supreme Court to resume hearing on Manipur viral video case today.

Supreme Court resumes hearing on Manipur violence case

The Supreme Court will resume hearing the petitions related to the Manipur violence case from today. The top court had asked Manipur’s Director General of Police (DGP) to be present during this hearing while noting that there was an absolute breakdown of law and order and machinery of state.

Updates suggest complete breakdown of law and order in Manipur

During the earlier hearing, the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud-led bench said that the updates shared with the court indicated that there was “no law from the beginning of May till the end of July” in the northeastern state.

The Supreme Court expressed concerns over the lethargic investigation and lack of arrests, stating that it gave the impression of a breakdown of constitutional machinery. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, informed the court that 6532 FIRs have been registered with respect to the Manipur violence. He also assured the Supreme Court that the Manipur viral video case had been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the earliest possible moment.

Supreme Court calls for a mechanism to investigate the cases

The Supreme Court bench highlighted the need to set up a mechanism for the investigation of these cases, as the state police cannot be trusted. The court suggested the need to bifurcate the 6500 FIRs to avoid burdening the CBI with all the cases, which could result in a breakdown of the CBI mechanism.

Background on Manipur violence

Since May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts of Manipur to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, at least 150 people have been killed and several hundred injured in ethnic violence in the state.

Conclusion

• The Supreme Court resumes hearing on the petitions related to the Manipur violence case.
• The court expresses concerns over the breakdown of law and order in the state.
• 6532 FIRs have been registered and the viral video case has been handed over to the CBI.
• The Supreme Court calls for a mechanism to investigate the cases and avoid burdening the CBI.
• At least 150 people have been killed and several hundred injured since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May.