Imphal: The Supreme Court has urged all communities in Manipur to clear blockades on national highways, ruling out piecemeal solutions and stating that the highways are an economic lifeline for all communities.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and JV Mohana called for comprehensive proposals from Kuki and Meitei groups to restore traffic on blocked routes, stressing that the blockades affect all communities and disrupt the supply of essential goods.
Hearing a PIL concerning a blockade in Kangpokpi district, the bench directed the rival groups to submit details of all blocked routes across the state along with workable restoration plans.
The Supreme Court directed the petitioner and opposing counsel to submit comprehensive data mapping all blocked national highways in Manipur, along with functional plans for restoring traffic.
The bench rejected a selective approach to the blockades, observing that focusing on a single route while others remain blocked would not resolve the wider disruption.
The Chief Justice cautioned that broad judicial orders requiring state intervention could trigger localised violence against civilians if not handled carefully.
Senior Advocate Anand Grover, representing the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, cited shortages of food and disruptions to schooling caused by the blockades in Kangpokpi district.
Opposing counsel Ngangom Junior, appearing for the International Meitei Organization, argued that petitioner groups were also maintaining blockades on alternative state routes and described the petition as mischievous.
The court said it would not address the crisis piecemeal and sought the reopening of all blocked national highways.
It directed both sides to submit a complete list of blocked routes and proposals for a mediated consensus that would allow free movement of traffic under the supervision of a neutral agency.