Manipur violence: BJP MLA moves Supreme Court against HC order on ST status for Meitei community

The petition filed by Gangmei before the Supreme Court sought a direction to the state government on whether to recommend a tribe as the Scheduled Tribes List falls solely within the jurisdiction of the state, and not the High Court.

The petition filed by Gangmei, a BJP MLA, said that the Manipur HC order has resulted in the unrest in Manipur that has caused the death of 32 people.

"Due to the order, the tension between both the community have taken place and violent clashes have erupted across the state. As a result of it so far 32 tribal people have been killed, various places in the states are blocked, the internet is completely shutdown and more people are at risk of losing their lives," the petition said.

There are two other petitions also filed before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court registry, and officials directly connected with listing the matters, said that keeping in view the seriousness and importance of the case, the matter is likely to be listed very soon.

The outbreak of violence in Manipur can be traced back to the 'Tribal Solidarity March' initiated by the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM). The march was organized as a form of protest against the demand to include the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, which was prompted by a directive from the Manipur High Court on April 19. The march served as a catalyst for the subsequent escalation of violence in the region.

Approximately 53 percent of the population in Manipur comprises Meiteis, residing predominantly in the Imphal Valley, while the remaining 40 percent consists of tribal communities such as Kukis, residing primarily in the hill districts surrounding the Valley.