Centre Cites This as One of the Reasons for Asking CBI to Investigate Manipur Violence
According to sources, the affidavit regarding the Manipur violence was personally filed by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, conveying to the court that the Centre is handling the case with the highest level of seriousness.
Today, the Central government made an appeal to the Supreme Court to move the trial of the Manipur violence case to a location outside the state. Additionally, it urged the top court to ensure the completion of the entire trial, including the gang-rape case, within a period of six months. Sources revealed that Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla personally submitted the affidavit, emphasizing the Centre’s unwavering commitment to treating the case with the utmost seriousness.
On July 26, the Manipur government suggested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case. Following that, on July 27, the Home Ministry also endorsed a CBI investigation into the matter.
The central government, in its efforts to ensure accountability for heinous offenses like the present one, believes that such crimes require not only the utmost seriousness but also visible justice to serve as a deterrent against crimes targeting women across the nation. This is among the reasons why, with consent from the state government, the central government has opted to assign the investigation to an independent agency, the CBI. These steps have been listed by the Centre to highlight its commitment to holding the perpetrators accountable.
As of Monday, a total of seven individuals have been apprehended in connection with the case, with the most recent arrest taking place in Thoubal district.
The hearing of pleas concerning the violence in Manipur, which was scheduled for today before a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, did not take place due to the unavailability of the Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court, on its own initiative, acknowledged the severe gang rape of women in the state when a video depicting the women being publicly humiliated and attacked circulated widely on social media.
Before the monsoon session of parliament, the video from Manipur caused an uproar in the house, leading the opposition to insist on a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With the government indicating that they would not provide the requested statement, the opposition adopted an indirect approach by initiating a no-confidence motion against the government. Speaker Om Birla has accepted the motion.
On Thursday, a senior government official dismissed the opposition’s assertion that Manipur is in turmoil, stating that no killings have taken place in the state since July 18. The official emphasized that ongoing dialogues with the conflicting communities, Meiteis and Kukis, would lead to the restoration of peace and normalcy in the region shortly.
