'Solution can't be far if there is dialogue': Justice Gavai
'Solution can't be far if there is dialogue': Justice Gavai on Manipur ethnic conflict
Supreme Court judge, Justice B R Gavai, who led a team of five Supreme Court judges on a two-day visit to Manipur since Saturday, said that the delegation has learnt that everyone in the ethnic strife-torn state wants restoration of peace and that nobody is interested in continuing the present situation
Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai
addresses the duodecennial celebration of Manipur High Court, in Imphal,
Sunday, March 23, 2025. (PTI Photo)
IMPHAL — Supreme Court judge, Justice B R Gavai, on Sunday asserted that all
problems can be solved through constitutional means, stressing that when
dialogue takes place, the solution is well within reach.
Justice Gavai, who led a team of five Supreme Court judges
on a two-day visit to Manipur since Saturday, said that the delegation has
learnt that everyone in the ethnic strife-torn state wants restoration of peace
and that nobody is interested in continuing the present situation.
"Everything can be solved through constitutional means.
If there is dialogue, the solution will not be far. People staying in relief
camps want to return to their homes. I am sure that with the efforts of the
governor, peace and normalcy would soon be restored in Manipur," he said,
while addressing a function to mark the 12th anniversary of the establishment
of the Manipur High Court.
Justice Gavai said it was a great pleasure for the Supreme
Court judges to visit the state where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian
National Army had fought for the freedom of the country and the Indian flag was
first hoisted in 1944.
"Our journey was not only to pay tributes to one of the
most revered national heroes of the country but also to visit one of the most
beautiful lands in the country," he said.
"We are celebrating 75 years of the adoption of the
Constitution. When we compare India to our neighbouring countries, we realise
our Constitution has kept us strong and united. As Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
or Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India, Manipur and the other seven sisters
are also parts of this country. We strive for unity of the country," he
said.
Justice Gavai said that he and his colleagues had decided
that during their visit to Manipur, they would interact with people who have
been suffering due to the conflict for the last two years.
"We visited relief camps in Churachandpur and Bishnupur
and interacted with people from both the communities. One thing we could
understand is that everyone wanted the restoration of peace. Nobody is
interested in continuing the present situation. We can all work in unison to
bring back normalcy in the state through constitutional means," he added.
Justice Gavai also lauded Chief Justice of Manipur High
Court, Justice D Krishnakumar for making efforts to start several new projects.
"This would not have been possible without the support of
the governor, the chief secretary and other officials who have been
proactive," he said.
Manipur has one of the youngest high courts in the country
but in this short period, it has sent one judge to the Supreme Court.
"He (Justice N Kotiswar Singh) has appealed to all of
you to bring back normalcy," Justice Gavai said.
He also praised the young girls who had sung 'We shall
overcome...' during the judges' visit to a relief camp in Churachandpur, and
hoped that one day, it will come true.
With the completion of their visit, the judges' team will
leave the state later in the day.
On Saturday, the delegation visited relief camps and
interacted with internally displaced persons.
The delegation also virtually inaugurated a legal services
camp, a medical camp and a legal aid clinic from the Mini Secretariat at Lamka
in Churachandpur district.
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered
homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining
hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.
