Manipur HC orders status quo on mass burial site; 1 policeman dead, over 25 injured in violence

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Manipur's ethnic violence, the state's high court on Thursday ordered that the status quo be maintained at the proposed burial site in Churachandpur district, while ITLF, an apex tribal body, said it was postponing the funeral service plans by seven days following requests from the Union home ministry. Meanwhile, over 25 people were injured in clashes as Army and RAF personnel fired tear gas shells in Kangvai and Phougakchao areas in Bishnupur district on Thursday to stop processions from proceeding to the proposed burial site violating restrictions on gatherings, officials said.

The district magistrates of Imphal East and Imphal West withdrew curfew relaxations earlier announced, imposing day curfew as a precautionary measure, throughout the Imphal valley. The Kuki-Zomi organisation, Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, had planned the burial of 35 people, who were killed in ethnic riots in the state, on Thursday at a site in Haolai Khopi village of Churachandpur, resulting in tension in many districts of Manipur.

The Manipur High Court bench headed by Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidaran started hearing the case early at 6 am, given the urgency of the issue and directed the state and central governments and their law-enforcing agencies as well as the public to «maintain status quo» with regard to the land in question. It also said the matter would come up for further hearing on August 9.

The bench took into consideration the «potential of aggravating the already volatile law and order situation and the possibility of igniting a fresh wave of violence and bloodshed due to gathering of a large mob at the land in question». The Centre, the state government and aggrieved parties are also directed to make an effort for an