The Deputy Advocate General has clarified before the Manipur Human Rights Commission that the Union of India has not imposed Article 355 in the state of Manipur as yet and therefore, such contention made in the complaint petition filed before the MHRC is incorrect.
The deputy advocate general submitted the status report on behalf of the state of Manipur, represented by chief secretary, Manipur and commissioner (Home), wherein the government of Manipur has cleared its stand regarding the present situation and also reply to the contention made by the complainant in the complaint petition.
ALSO READ: Manipur Crisis: MHRC directs government to submit status report
Meanwhile, advocate Tomcha for the All India Lawyer Union submitted that as to whether Article 355 is imposed on the state of Manipur by the Union of India can only be ascertained after getting the status report from the secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Union of India.
Tomcha also contended that if Article 355 is not imposed, then why Union Government appointed Kuldiep Singh, retired DG of CRPF, as security adviser to look after the law-and-order situation in Manipur, which is a state subject and the same is to be looked into by the DGP, Manipur and the administrative authorities of Manipur.
ALSO READ: Two houses, one shop burned amid fresh violence in Imphal
From the status reports submitted by commissioner (Home), Manipur, it is stated that “Present crisis stated as the aftermath of violent incidents of burning down of/ destruction/damages cause to houses and private properties, damages in the series of incidents following the Tribal solidarity march on May 3, 2023 organised by ATSUM (All Tribal Students Union of Manipur) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur. It may also be stated that the extreme steps had been resorted from both sides of communities and cannot be attributed to only one community”.
It is also submitted that steps have been taken by the state government in consultation with the Central Government to bring normalcy in the state. Security coordination and review meetings are being held on a daily basis under the chairmanship of Kuldiep Singh, security advisor.
It is also stated regarding compensation packages rate announced on various heads for death, grievous injuries, non-grievous injuries and also for burn down houses, etc. State has also taken security measures for religious places/shrines/temples/churches, etc. It is further stated that there is no official order/notification to the effect of imposition of Article 355 in the state of Manipur.
ALSO READ: Operations initiated to arrest culprits of Khamenlok violence
The commission again directed the secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Union of India to submit the status report regarding the grievances of the complainant on or before the next date, so that the commission can decide the matter in a meaningful manner, particularly when the Home Minister of the Union of India specifically stated, while meeting press persons regarding present situation in the state of Manipur which is a fallout of the order of Acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, which is totally absence/missing in the status report submitted by the state government.
MHRC also appreciated some of the steps taken by state and Central government and by civil societies regarding the present situation in the state, particularly the peoples of both tribes and non tribes, and also expressed their anguish regarding untoward incidents happen in various tribal and non-tribal locality when curfew is imposed which is necessary for deciding the question arises in the case.
ALSO READ: MHRC issues notice for filing status report for internet restoration
