• Source:JND
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The Manipur government on Friday told the Supreme Court that it has filed a status report over the issue of recovery of arms from "all sources" in the ethnic violence-hit state. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that the report has been filed on the issue and it is only for judges.

He informed the bench regarding another brief affidavit in the case with the bench, which also comprised Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The affidavit states that "whatever issues are being debated here have already been brought to the notice of the (apex court-appointed) committee" and that the panel is currently considering them, Mehta informed the bench.

Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the petitioners' side, told the bench that the bodies of two women, who were gang-raped and killed in May in Manipur, have not been given to their families yet.

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Mehta said the top court-appointed committee has already taken cognisance of this and has issued directions to the authorities.

Protest in Manipur (Image Credits: ANI)

The bench posted the matter for hearing on September 25.

Earlier on September 6, the apex court asked the Manipur government and the law enforcement agencies to file a status report on the "recovery of arms made from all sources" so far in the ethnic-violence hit state.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, "Let a status report be furnished to this court by the government. The report shall be made available only to this court."

The bench also took note of the affidavit filed by the Manipur Chief Secretary who denied any outbreak of chickenpox or measles in the relief camps. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Manipur, also said that there was no shortage of basic commodities like food and medicines for people facing economic blockade in the state and in relief camps.

The apex court also asked Manipur government to take a call on the unclaimed bodies of those killed in the violence lying in the mortuaries for the past four months saying a decision needs to be made before dead bodies become a source of disease.

The violence in Manipur between the Hindu Meiteis and the tribal Kuki, who are Christians, erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3.