SC dismisses plea for new expert panel to solve Manipur conflict
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking to constitute a new expert commission to help solve the strife in Manipur.
The protracted conflict between the Kukis and the Meiteis in the state claimed over 200 lives, displacing over 60,000 people.
A three judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud heard the plea by petitioners Yumlembam Surjit Singh, Keisham Arish and Laishram Momo Singh, according to India Today.
The petitioners stressed the need for setting up the panel headed by a former Supreme Court judge to resolve the conflict, Live Law reported.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners said: ‘You’re going to have representatives of various communities at each other’s throats, some accusing the government of India, others accusing the government of Nagaland, nobody is attempting to ensure that there is some truce.’
The petitioners said no joint meeting among representatives of three communities has taken place so far.
The apex court, however, said that it had already set up a committee, headed by retired Justice Gita Mittal, to look into the humanitarian aspects of the violence.
‘It’s open to make a representation to the committee,’ the bench responded, adding ‘At this stage, we believe that broad and general reliefs would not result in anything.’