A delegation of five-member Supreme Court judges, led by Justice BR Gavai, offered a message of hope to communities ravaged by ethnic violence in Manipur on Saturday, assuring displaced residents that “peace will soon return” to the troubled state.

The visit, which included stops at relief camps and the virtual launch of legal and medical facilities, underscores a concerted effort to address the fallout from the sectarian clashes that erupted nearly two years ago.

Speaking to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur district, Justice Gavai struck an optimistic tone. “We understand the hardships you’re enduring, but with collective support, this dark chapter will end swiftly. Trust in the Constitution—it will restore peacefully one day,” he said, addressing families uprooted by the violence that began on 3 May 2023. That conflict, pitting the Meitei community of Imphal Valley against the Kuki-Zo groups of the hills, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 50,000 people.

The delegation’s itinerary included a poignant visit to relief camps in Churachandpur, where they oversaw the virtual opening of legal services camps, aid clinics, and temporary medical units from the district’s Mini Secretariat.

These initiatives, spearheaded by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), aim to link IDPs with essential government schemes—offering healthcare, and pensions, and help reconstructing lost identity documents. Essential supplies were also distributed to ease immediate hardships. Later, the judges are slated to visit another camp at Moirang College in Bishnupur district.

Notably, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, a Meitei and part of the team, skipped Churachandpur—a Kuki-majority area—following objections from a local lawyers’ group wary of ethnic tensions. An official confirmed he would instead head to Bishnupur. The All Manipur Bar Association has since appealed to its Churachandpur branch to reconsider this stance, highlighting the need for unity.

Justice Gavai, NALSA’s Executive Chairman, also launched legal and medical camps across all Manipur districts, alongside new aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Ukhrul. A NALSA statement described the visit as a vital step in supporting communities still reeling from the 2023 violence, which left thousands in makeshift shelters.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh welcomed the judicial outreach but took a swipe at the central government. “It’s heartening to see Supreme Court judges in Manipur, where 60,000 remain displaced and hundreds have perished. Yet, why hasn’t the Prime Minister visited? Why was the President’s Rule delayed so long? These questions linger unanswered,” he remarked.

The judges’ mission continues on Sunday with an event at the High Court of Manipur, spotlighting ongoing efforts to heal a state scarred by division.

On the occasion of Earth Hour, which coincided with World Water Day on Saturday, March 22, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called on citizens to contribute actively towards protecting the planet through individual actions.

In a message posted on X, Naidu highlighted the global spirit of Earth Hour, a movement that brings together millions of people for 60 minutes to support and celebrate the Earth. He described the alignment of Earth Hour with World Water Day as a “meaningful overlap”, emphasizing the importance of both energy and water conservation as two vital pillars of sustainability.

Government initiatives for a sustainable future

Underscoring the state’s commitment to sustainable development, Naidu noted that the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has incorporated water security and fuel cost optimisation into the guiding principles of its Swarna Andhra @ 2047 vision plan. This long-term roadmap aims to ensure a resource-efficient and environmentally responsible Andhra Pradesh by the year 2047.

While highlighting the government’s efforts, Naidu stressed the need for collective responsibility. He urged individuals to do their part, saying that even small actions can lead to big changes in the journey toward a greener future.

As Earth Hour and World Water Day shine a spotlight on pressing environmental challenges, the Chief Minister’s message reiterates the need for both policy-level action and grassroots participation in safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

A statewide Karnataka Bandh is being observed today, Saturday, March 22, following a call by several pro-Kannada organisations, in response to the alleged assault of a KSRTC bus conductor in Belagavi. The shutdown, scheduled from 6 AM to 6 PM, highlights ongoing tensions in the Karnataka-Maharashtra border region over linguistic identity.

The conductor was reportedly attacked for not speaking Marathi, sparking widespread anger among Kannada groups and reigniting long-standing regional disputes. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus was travelling from Belagavi to Balekundri when the incident occurred last month.

Political and security response

Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday stated that the state government does not support the bandh, emphasizing that it could disturb students appearing for exams. He assured efforts to persuade organisers against the shutdown.

Despite this, tight security arrangements have been made in Belagavi and other sensitive areas across the state to prevent any unrest. The bandh, led by the Kannada Okkuta, seeks action against pro-Marathi activists and has demanded a ban on groups inciting linguistic discord.

What’s affected during the bandh?

Bus services: Both KSRTC and BMTC staff unions have extended support to the bandh, likely affecting bus availability while metro, rail, and air travel services remain unaffected.

Banks are shut due to the regular Saturday holiday while some schools and colleges might declare holidays, no official directives have been issued.

However, the government offices and essential services will function normally, including healthcare facilities but the restaurants and cinema halls have offered symbolic support but are expected to stay open.

Long-standing border language dispute

This bandh adds to the ongoing Karnataka-Maharashtra border conflict, especially around Belagavi, a region claimed by Maharashtra post-independence due to its Marathi-speaking population. The issue has resurfaced multiple times over decades, with language politics at its core.

The attack and the subsequent reaction have once again drawn attention to the fragile linguistic fabric in border regions, even as authorities urge restraint and communal harmony.