‘Absolute Breakdown Of Constitutional Machinery In Manipur’; SC Asks DGP To Appear In Court

New Delhi: A worried Supreme Court observed on Tuesday that there has been an “absolute breakdown” of law and order machinery in Manipur.

Expressing serious concern over the “lethargic” pace of the investigation in Manipur, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud remarked that the probe has been marred by a lack of progress, with no arrests made despite significant time having passed, reported India Today.

Prevailing law and order situation has raised questions about functioning of constitutional machinery in Manipur, the CJI said, and asked the Director General of Police (DGP) to appear before the court in person at 2 pm on August 7.

“The state police is incapable of investigation, they have lost control. There’s absolutely no law and order. If law and order machinery cannot protect people, what happens to citizens?” the Supreme Court asked.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is appearing for the government as the top court hears a batch of petitions about Manipur violence, said that the state government and relevant authorities are “sensitive to the issue” and FIRs have been registered.

Mehta told the court that 6,523 FIRs have been registered thus far – out of which 11 pertain to crimes against women and children — and 252 people had been arrested.

The court, however, noted that except for one or two cases, it appears “there are no arrests at all.”

The three-judge bench, headed by the CJI, also directed the Manipur government to prepare a statement setting out the date when women were paraded naked, date of registration of zero FIR, date of registration of regular FIR, details of the statements recorded and date of arrests made.

At least 160 people have lost their lives in Manipur since ethnic clashes broke out in the north-eastern state on May 3.