Supreme Court Demands Progress Report on Manipur Tribal Killings Investigation
The Supreme Court of India has taken significant action regarding the alleged extra-judicial killings of ten Kuki-Zo tribal youths in Manipur, directing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to submit a detailed status report on its ongoing probe. This development comes approximately eighteen months after ethnic conflicts first erupted in the northeastern state, highlighting the continuing tensions in the region.
Court Rejects SIT Demand But Seeks Investigation Update
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice A S Chandurkar made this decision while hearing a petition filed by five members of the Kuki-Zo community. The petitioners had sought the establishment of a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to independently investigate the incident that occurred in November last year.
The bench firmly declined this request, emphasizing that the NIA represents one of India's premier investigative agencies and is already handling the case. However, demonstrating judicial oversight, the court acknowledged the petitioners' concerns and mandated that the NIA provide a comprehensive update on the investigation's progress to date.
Security Concerns Prevent Approach to Manipur High Court
The petitioners presented compelling reasons for approaching the Supreme Court directly rather than the Manipur High Court. They expressed that as members of the minority Kuki-Zo community, they face significant security challenges that prevent them from physically visiting the High Court located in Imphal.
According to their submission, ongoing tensions between their community and the majority population create constant threats to their life and property, making travel to Imphal potentially dangerous. This security concern underscores the persistent ethnic divisions within the state more than a year after violence initially broke out.
Detailed Account of the November 11 Incident
The tragic incident at the center of this legal proceeding occurred on November 11, 2023, in Jiribam district's Borobekra police station area. According to the petitioners' account, ten men belonging to the Hmar tribe within the broader Kuki-Zo community visited the CRPF premises claiming to be relief volunteers from Churachandpur.
Their purpose was to discuss security arrangements for villages in the area, particularly urgent since their villages had experienced attacks just one day earlier. The situation turned violent as the men were departing from the CRPF compound.
The petitioners allege that a Manipur police commando opened fire using his service assault rifle. In the ensuing chaos and confusion, they claim that a CRPF soldier discharged a Light Machine Gun (LMG), resulting in multiple fatalities among the ten victims.
The Supreme Court's intervention represents a crucial step toward ensuring accountability and transparency in investigating this sensitive case that has further strained community relations in conflict-affected Manipur.
