NEW DELHI, 20 Jun: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused an urgent hearing on a plea seeking Army protection for minority Kuki tribals amid the ethnic violence in Manipur.
A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh said it is purely a law and order issue.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves mentioned the matter on behalf of NGO Manipur Tribal Forum (MTF).
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that security agencies are on the ground, and opposed the plea for urgent hearing.
The top court posted the matter for hearing on 3 July.
The MTF has alleged that the central government and the chief minister of Manipur have jointly embarked on a communal agenda aimed at “ethnic cleansing” of Kuki tribals in the state.
The NGO urged the apex court not to rely on “empty assurances” given by the Centre and sought Army protection for Kuki tribals.
More than 100 people have lost their lives in the violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur that broke out over a month ago. (PTI)