New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear a plea seeking contempt action against the government for alleged non-compliance of its order on protection of properties of displaced persons during the Manipur violence, saying it cannot act on the basis of emotions but has to act as per the law.

A vacation bench of Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mittal said it was not satisfied with the argument that a case of contempt was made out against the respondents, including the Chief Secretary of Manipur, and that the petitioners could resort to remedies available under the law. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for Manipur, told the bench that no case of contempt was made out and the state and central governments were doing everything on the ground to address the concerns of the people.

He said that it is very unfortunate to try to heat up the issue. It is the responsibility of the state to protect all citizens and their properties and the government can file an updated status report on this issue. The apex court was hearing a petition which claimed that the respondents had violated its September 25 last year order to protect the properties of people displaced during ethnic violence.

The bench asked the petitioner's lawyer who had committed contempt, to which the lawyer replied that the Chief Secretary and others. The bench said that they have not encroached. When the lawyer said that the petitioners are living outside Manipur and are not in a position to go anywhere near Imphal, the bench said, "This does not mean that a notice should be issued against the Chief Secretary." During this, Bhati said, "There is still an uneasy peace in Manipur. There are differences among the people and the state and central government are trying to convince everyone."

When the counsel for the petitioner claimed that their properties were looted in the presence of police and they could place those videos before the court, Bhati objected to it and said false allegations were being made. The bench said, "It is their (officials') responsibility to protect the properties. It is their duty to follow the order of this court. There is no doubt about this."

Also said that no case of contempt is made out against the Chief Secretary and other respondents, do not put pressure on the officials in this manner. The petitioners can resort to due process as per law. The bench said, "We have full sympathy with you. Your properties need to be protected, but this does not mean that we have to issue contempt notice to the respondents." It is notable that more than 170 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured in the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year.