SC Urges Kukis, Meiteis To Work For Peace

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Kuki and Meitei communities to work towards restoring peace in Manipur and making blocked roads and highways functional, observing that both groups had suffered enough hardships during more than three years of ethnic violence.

Over 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced since ethnic violence broke out between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei and neighbouring hills-based Kuki communities in May 2023.

A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said: "You must be tired of fighting. Both groups have suffered enough hardships. Think of restoring peace and making roads and highways functional. Highways are the lifeline of any region as essential commodities pass through it."

The court asked petitioner 'Kuki Women Organisation For Human Rights', a wing of Kuki Organisation of Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), and intervener 'International Meitei Organisation' to submit within two weeks details of roads blocked in the state and suggestions on how they could be reopened.

CJI Kant said, "The issue is very genuine and blocking of national highways is a serious matter, but intervention of court in directing for opening of highways will lead to loss of lives."

The top court told them, "We would ensure that both groups will work towards opening of highways."

The court impleaded the Centre and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as parties to the petition.

Senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for the petitioner Kuki group, submitted that it was against violence and killings and favoured peace and the opening of roads and highways. He, however, alleged that Meiteis were blocking several routes, affecting the supply of essential commodities.

Counsel for the intervener Meitei group alleged that the petition filed by the Kuki group was a "mischievous one" and claimed that the Kukis were blocking highways and roads in the state, causing hardship to people.

The counsel said the roads continued to be blocked by Kukis despite an appeal by the Chief Minister to reopen them.

The Supreme Court said the issue could not remain a matter of allegations and counter-allegations and that both groups would have to find a lasting solution to restore peace.

Allowing the intervention application, the court asked counsel for the Meitei group to file a fresh petition giving details of the blocked roads and granted liberty to amend the memo of parties.