Manipur: Union minister R K Ranjan Singh's house vandalised by mob, mob clashes with forces
Imphal (PTI): Union Minister of State for External Affairs R K Ranjan Singh's house in Imphal town was vandalised by a mob, officials said. Security guards and firefighters managed to control arson attempts by the mob and save the minister's house from being burnt down on Thursday night, they said.
The development comes after the burning of two houses, and clashes between the Rapid Action Force of Manipur and a mob in the heart of Imphal town on Thursday afternoon.
The mob which roamed the town late on Thursday also clashed with security forces, the officials said.
Reacting to the developments, RK Ranjan Singh told PTI Video, "There was an incident at my residence in Manipur last night."
The Minister, who is currently in Kochi to attend a party event, said, "I am trying to bring peace and stop violence since May 3 (when ethnic clashes began in the state) this is all a misunderstanding between two communities. The government has set up a peace committee, the process is on. Civil society leaders are sitting together."
Singh said the government will talk to all communities and find a way out.
Sound of firing could be heard in Imphal East district till the early hours of Friday as security forces fired numerous rounds of tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse angry locals protesting the killing of nine civilians on Wednesday.
Two protesters and one Rapid Action Force personnel were injured during the confrontation. The RAF constable was hit by a stone on his head, said officials.
Protesters at Nongmeibung and Wangkhei blocked the main streets by piling up stones and construction materials and engaged in pitch battles with security forces, they said.
More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence, including 9 in the Khamenlok area on Wednesday, between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out a month ago.
The state has imposed a curfew on 11 districts and banned the internet in a bid to stop the spread of rumours in the state.
Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals - Nagas and Kukis - constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
#WATCH | Manipur: A mob torched Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh's residence at Kongba in Imphal on Thursday late night. https://t.co/zItifvGwoG pic.twitter.com/LWAWiJnRwc
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2023
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
