DINGANGLUNG GANGMEI Vs. MUTUM CHURAMANI MEETEI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The State of Manipur has been besieged by sectarian strife since the first week of May 2023.

(2.) On 27/3/2023, the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur issued directions in a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution [WP(C) No 229 of 2023] to the Government of Manipur directing it to respond to a communication dtd. 29/5/2013 of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the Union Government by recommending the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Presidential List of Scheduled Tribes. The recommendation for including the community in the list of Scheduled Tribes was directed to be considered expeditiously within a stipulated time frame. The jurisdiction of this Court under Article 136 of the Constitution was invoked to challenge the order of the High Court principally on the ground that while exercising jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution the High Court cannot issue directions for the inclusion of a community in the list of Scheduled Tribes. The pleadings in the Special Leave Petition highlight that 'Manipur is burning after the impugned order.'

(3.) On 8/5/2023, the Union Government apprised this Court that the State of Manipur 'is taking appropriate steps for recall of the order of the Single Judge of the High Court dtd. 27/3/2023 by moving the competent forum in that regard.' The Union Government placed a statement on record indicating that the following steps were taken to ensure normalcy: