A six-member delegation of Supreme Court judges, led by Justice B R Gavai, has departed for Imphal, Manipur, to oversee relief efforts and legal aid initiatives in the violence-hit state.
The delegation includes Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, M M Sundresh, K V Viswanathan, and N Kotishwar.
Their visit aims to assess the condition of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and provide legal and humanitarian support.
Justice Gavai, who also serves as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), will virtually inaugurate legal services camps and medical camps across Manipur’s districts.
Additionally, new legal aid clinics will be opened in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Ukhrul.
The initiative also includes the distribution of essential relief materials to displaced individuals. Legal services camps will facilitate access to government welfare schemes, including healthcare, pension benefits, employment opportunities, and the reconstruction of identity documents for affected persons.
On 18 March, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to send six judges to Manipur’s relief camps.
Also read: Manipur: Minor found brutally murdered in relief camp
He also questioned the delay in imposing President’s Rule in the state despite the Supreme Court’s earlier remarks regarding a constitutional breakdown.
“We welcome the decision of the six judges of the Supreme Court who will go (to Manipur) on 22nd March. It was in August 2023 that the Supreme Court said that there was an absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery. Those were the exact words used by the Supreme Court, but in spite of that, it took the government almost 18-19 months to impose the President’s rule... Why did it take 18 months to impose the President’s rule? Why, there was no full-time Governor for six months. They removed a tribal lady, a distinguished political personality and they gave additional charge to the Governor of Assam. They brought a retired civil servant as a full-time governor. Why? Why did it take so long?" Ramesh said.
The violence in Manipur, which erupted on 3 May 2023 following a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM), saw clashes between the Hindu Meitei and Christian Kuki communities.
The conflict engulfed the state, prompting the Centre to deploy paramilitary forces to restore order.
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