Considering the potential to exacerbate an already tense situation in Manipur, the court issued the order. The Manipur High Court directed the maintenance of the status quo at the proposed burial site in Haolai Khopi village, Churchandpur district, where the Kuki-Zo community intended to perform burial rites for 35 individuals killed in the ongoing violence in the state.
Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidharan and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma formed the bench and issued these directives in the public interest to prevent any further escalation of the already contentious law and order situation in Manipur.
The court explained its decision, stating that a large gathering of people from both communities at the site could potentially lead to violence and bloodshed. Thus, as an interim measure, they ordered the Central and State administrations, along with the general public, to maintain the status quo until the next court date.
Furthermore, the Court allowed representatives of the Kuki-Zo community to submit proposals to officials for the allocation of burial land.
The proceedings are scheduled to continue on August 9, 2023.
The ongoing violence in Manipur is a result of certain tribes opposing the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the majority Meitei community.
On April 19 of the current year, the Manipur High Court had ordered the State government to expedite the consideration of the inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list, preferably within four weeks from the date of the order.
