The Supreme Court refused to entertain a request for its intervention in comparable occurrences in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala, stating that crimes committed against women in Manipur were of "unprecedented magnitude."
Appearing for two intervenors, lawyer and BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj said there were crimes against women in other states too and a mechanism should be devised which could be applicable everywhere. “The daughters of India need this, irrespective of the state they reside in,” Swaraj said.
“Are you for a moment saying that do something for all the daughters of India or don’t do anything for anybody at all?” a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud asked. “Crimes against women take place all over the country. This is part of our social reality. Presently, we are dealing with something which is of unprecedented magnitude, namely crimes and perpetuation of violence against women in a situation of communal or sectarian strife of a nature which is taking place in Manipur. So, there is no gainsaying in the fact that there are crimes which are taking place against women in West Bengal as well.”
“The question is, how do we deal with Manipur? What suggestions do you have for Manipur? If you have something to assist us on that or if you have something in terms of laying down a framework for investigation, please tell us. What sort of investigation framework should be laid down, please tell us that,” the court told Swaraj.
Oppn team visits Manipur
The conflict in Manipur has been allowed to rage for so long that it could pose a threat to national security if left untamed, opposition alliance INDIA’s 21-member delegation to the state told governor Anusuiya Uikey while handing her a memorandum that criticises the central government's “brazen indifference to the violence”.
“Justice should be the cornerstone” of the effort to get the state back on the rails after almost three months of violence, the members from 16 non-NDA parties said before wrapping up their two-day trip.
They blamed N Biren Singh’s BJP-led government of for violence flaring up every few days, and the continued internet blockade for a cycle of misinformation fuelling mistrust between communities. “You are requested to apprise the Union government of the complete breakdown of law and order in Manipur for the last 89 days,” the memorandum says.