Supreme Court’s Call for Resolution
The Supreme Court of India has called upon the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in Manipur to collaboratively develop a plan to reopen the national highways currently blocked due to ongoing tensions. The judicial Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana, emphasized the detrimental impact of these blockades on the general populace, particularly in terms of disrupting essential commodity supplies.
Impact of Blockades
The court highlighted how the continued closure of these routes has been a source of hardship for the residents. “Blocking of highways is not serving anybody’s cause. Hardship is faced by everyone,” the Bench remarked, urging the communities to consider mediation or another form of intervention to resolve the conflict.
Highway NH-2 and NH-37: Lifelines at Stake
The plea, brought forward by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), specifically addressed the blockade on National Highway-2 (NH-2), a crucial link between Imphal and Dimapur in Nagaland. Along with NH-37, which connects to Jiribam and further to Assam, these routes are vital for transporting goods into the landlocked state.
The tensions escalated in May following reports of abductions and violence between the Naga and Kuki communities. A tragic turning point occurred when the bodies of six missing Naga men were discovered in June, leading to intensified protests.
Judicial Intervention and Proposed Solutions
The Supreme Court, while considering the plea, stressed the need for a comprehensive resolution that reopens all affected highways, not just selected ones. Justice Bagchi pointed out, “It can’t be piecemeal that one highway is open and another is not.” The Court highlighted the essential nature of these roadways, with CJI Kant noting, “Highways are the lifeline of the common person.”
Senior Advocate Anand Grover, representing KWOHR, claimed that while Kuki militants had lifted their blockades, Naga militants had not followed suit. He criticized the state government’s inability to manage the situation effectively. Meanwhile, counsel for the International Meitei Organisation opposed the plea, alleging that the Kuki community was responsible for the blockades.
Moving Forward with Collaborative Efforts
The Supreme Court has directed the involved parties to present a detailed plan to reopen all national highways. This proposal should include a list of currently blocked routes and potential strategies for their reopening. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will also be involved in the proceedings to ensure effective resolution.
In closing, the Court emphasized that the objective is not to engage in blame games but to achieve a practical solution, potentially with the involvement of independent agencies or alternative platforms. The parties have been asked to submit their proposals soon, aiming for a peaceful and effective resolution to the issue.
