The Manipur high court has modified an order and deleted its direction to the state govt.Earlier Manipur HC had asked govt to consider including the Meiteis in the list of the STs.A few months after the verdict, violence sparked in the state.Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu said the direction in question was contrary the Supreme Court’s decision in which the top court had observed that courts cannot modify, amend or alter the ST list.The earlier direction was part of a judgment passed on March 27, 2023, by former acting chief justice MV Muralidaran.In his judgement, Muralidaran had asked the state to consider the inclusion of Meitei community in the list of STs.The ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zo communities erupted following this order.The months-long violence claimed hundreds of lives.In October last year, a division bench of the Manipur high court had agreed to hear an appeal filed against the controversial order.The appeal was moved by the All Manipur Tribal Union and various groups.The tribal union argued that groups associated with the rights of the tribal community were not a party to the writ petition.It was further contended that the 2023 judgment has adversely affected rights of 34 recognized tribes in Manipur.Meiteis account for about 53% of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley.While tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40% and reside mainly in the hill districts.