Supreme Court Intervenes in Manipur Tribal Killings Case
The Supreme Court of India has taken significant action regarding the alleged extra-judicial killings of ten Kuki-Zo tribal youth in Manipur, directing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to submit a comprehensive status report on its ongoing investigation.
This development comes more than a year after the tragic incident that occurred in November last year, during a period of intense ethnic conflict that had engulfed the northeastern state.
Court Rejects SIT Demand, Backs NIA Probe
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and A S Chandurkar made the decision while hearing a petition filed by five members of the Kuki-Zo community. The petitioners had sought the formation of a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the more than year-old incident.
However, the bench declined this request, emphasizing that the NIA, which it described as "one of the best agencies," is already handling the investigation. Despite rejecting the SIT demand, the court acknowledged the petitioners' concerns and agreed to seek a detailed progress report from the investigating agency.
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 their minority community status creates security challenges that prevent them from physically accessing the High Court located in Imphal.
According to their submission, ongoing tensions between their community and the majority population pose constant threats to their life and property, making travel to Imphal city potentially dangerous.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The case centers around a disturbing event that unfolded at the Borobekra police station in Jiribam district. According to the petitioners' account, ten men belonging to the Hmar tribe of the Kuki-Zo community had visited the CRPF premises claiming to be relief volunteers from Churachandpur.
Their purpose was to discuss security concerns for villages in the area, particularly since their villages had been attacked just one day earlier. The situation turned deadly as the ten men were leaving the compound.
A Manipur police commando reportedly opened fire on the departing group. During the ensuing commotion, rumors suggest that a CRPF soldier fired from a Light Machine Gun (LMG), resulting in the deaths of several individuals, ultimately claiming ten lives.
The Supreme Court's intervention marks a crucial step toward ensuring transparency and accountability in this sensitive case that continues to highlight the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur.
