Violence in Manipur: Nearly 150 people have been killed and many more injured in communal violence in Manipur.
New Delhi:
Hate speech must be curbed in Manipur and all sides must strike a balance, the Supreme Court said today while hearing a series of petitions seeking the return of the bodies of victims of violence. The court also said it would not give directions to the military or paramilitary forces, which have been civilian-led since independence.
“We request all sides to maintain a sense of balance and not to engage in hate speech,” said Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who headed the three-judge bench hearing the petitions. “As a court we have to show a clear balance, because we distance ourselves from the contestation. Once we come into the picture, we lose our objectivity. We have to stand apart,” he added.
Senior lawyer Colin Gonsalves, representing the Kuki community, said: “The learned lawyer must curb the extreme hate speech. I have never seen this in India. He can stop this because he knows these gentlemen”.
Nearly 150 people have been killed and many more injured in communal violence in Manipur since clashes broke out between Kukis and Meitis in early May. The Kukis have claimed that the state government supports the violence and have sought court intervention to reduce the violence.
The violence has been fueled by hate speech, especially on social media.
The court, which had been seeking suggestions to bring the situation under control in the violence-torn state, said: “In the past 72 years, we have not issued such instructions to the Indian army… civilian control of the army is the greatest hallmark of democracy. We cannot violate that”.
“We believe that it will not be appropriate for the court to direct army and paramilitary forces. At the same time, we would urge the UOI and the state of Manipur to make arrangements to protect the lives of citizens of Manipur,” Justice Chandrachud said.
The court had said yesterday that while it has extensive powers, it is the job of the elected government to maintain law and order.
“This is a humanitarian crisis and we have tremendous power… We must be aware of the mandate of the Supreme Court. We cannot exercise law and order, the elected government will,” the court had said.
