Manipur HC orders to maintain status quo ante Mass Burial site until next date

Imphal: The High Court of Manipur today issued various directions as an interim measure to prevent any unwanted incident in connection with the controversial site at Torbung Bangla in Bishnupur District, which the Kuki community had chosen for the mass burial of 35 kukis who had died in ongoing Manipur violence.

Also read | Womenfolk From Various Parts Of Manipur Storm DC Office Bishnupur In A Rally

Taking into consideration the potentiality of aggravating the already volatile law and order situation due to the gathering of a large mob from both the communities [Meitei/Meetei and Kuk-Zo] on the land in question, the court in the public interest directed the Manipur Government and Central Government and their law enforcing agencies/ personnel as well as the public belonging to both the communities to maintain “status quo ante of the land in question” till the next date, stated the HC.

Must read | Manipur Congress Seeks Clarification From Manipur Govt Over Its BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip’s Alleged Remark Of Dividing State Into 3 UTs

The court directed the respondents to take appropriate effective steps to control the law and order problem in and around the land in question. The court also directed the Centre, state government and any aggrieved parties to make an effort to make an amicable settlement in this matter. The court further said that the private respondents and all the representatives of the Kuki-Zo community are also given liberty to apply to the official respondents for allotment of land for the purpose of burial within a period of one week.

Must read | Manipur: Mass burial of Kuki-Zo community killed in conflict to be performed in Churachandpur

The High Court Bench of Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidharan and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma issued the directions after hearing a PIL filed by International Meeteis Forum. Though the case was not listed on the Cause List of the Court for the day, the bench took up the matter today at 6 am as an “unlisted matter”, taking into consideration the nature and urgency involved in the case.

The next hearing on the case will be taken up on the August 9, 2023.

Must read | UNC directs Naga legislators to abstain from dictate of some CSOs; NRC only solution