Manipur HC orders status quo on burial site
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 03 2023: After an urgent hearing at 5 am Thursday over the mass burial of Kuki-Zo people killed in the ethnic clash, a special bench of Acting Chief Justice, Justice MV Muralidaran and Justice Guneshwar Sharma of Manipur High Court ordered status quo ante with respect to the land where the mass burial of the bodies was planned.

International Meeteis Forum secretary Thangjam Rolivin (52) had filed a PIL at the High Court challenging the move to carry out mass burial of the Kuki-Zo 'militants' at the district sericulture office complex in Torbung Bangla on Thurs day.

the sericulture secretary representing Manipur government, Manipur DGP, Churachandpur DC, Churachandpur SP, mihistiy of home affairs secretary representing union of India, GOC eastern command, IGAR (South) and Churachandpur police station OC were the official respondents while Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) and Joint Philanthropic Organisation Churachandpur were private respondents of the PIL.

The case, which was scheduled to be heard before the Special Bench comprising Justice A Bimol Singh and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma could not be taken up as Justice A Bimol was unable to preside due to certain issue.

Subsequently, the Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidaran and Justice Guneshwar Sharma heard the matter.

The urgency in the matter was highlighted when deputy advocate general of Manipur H Debendra brought to the attention of the Acting Chief Justice that a large mob from both communities had gathered around the disputed land and the situation could escalate into violence at any moment.

The senior counsel for the petitioner M Hemchandra also voiced the need for an immediate resolution.

Responding promptly to the counsel's request, the hearing over the matter was held at 5 am Thursday as unlisted and minutely discussed over the matter and the Court finally arrived at the decision at 6 am to main tain status quo ante with respect to the land where the mass burial.

The state and the central government and their respective law enforcement agencies were directed to maintain the status quo of the disputed land until the next date of hearing.

All respondents have also been ordered to take effective measures to control the law and order situation in and around the disputed land.

The central and state governments along with the respondent were directed to make earnest efforts towards an amicable settlement in the matter.

Additionally, the Kuki-Zo community representatives are also given the liberty to apply for land allotment for burial purposes within one week.

The High Court also issued notice to tribal bodies Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum and the Joint Philanthropic Organisations (JPO) and posted the matter for next hearing on August 9 .

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