In an unprecedented development, six Supreme Court Judges, headed by Justice BR Gavai will visit various relief camps in Manipur on March 22, to oversee and strengthen legal and humanitarian support to the violence-affected communities. Other Judges in the delegation headed by Justice Gavai are Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, MM Sundresh, KV Viswanathan and N Kotishwar Singh. The Congress welcomed the decision of six judges of the Supreme Court to visit Manipur and slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the troubled State.
This step was taken by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on Tuesday evening, whose Executive Chairman, is Justice Gavai. “Nearly two years after the devastating sectarian violence of May 3, 2023, which led to the loss of hundreds of lives and displaced over 50,000 people, many continue to seek refuge in relief camps across Manipur. This visit by the Supreme Court Judges highlights the ongoing need for legal and humanitarian assistance to these affected communities,” said NALSA in a statement, adding that this will ensure that those people who need help and affected by sectarian violence in Manipur get Justice.
During the visit, Justice Gavai will virtually inaugurate Legal Services Camps and Medical Camps across all Districts of Manipur, as well as new Legal Aid Clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul districts. There will be distribution of essential relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“The legal services camps will connect IDPs with government welfare programs, ensuring access to vital benefits such as healthcare, pensions, employment schemes, and identity document reconstruction. Each participating State Department will outline at least five key schemes tailored to address the needs of the displaced population. A team of 25 specialised doctors from Chennai will conduct Medical Camps across all relief camps,” the release by NALSA said.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said his party welcomes the decision. Speaking to media, he recalled that in August 2023, the Supreme Court said that there was an absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in the north-eastern state. Slamming the Government, Ramesh questioned Modi’s “silence” on Manipur.
“He goes around the world, goes to Assam, elsewhere, but doesn’t go to Manipur even as people of the state continue to wait and wait and wait for his visit,” the Congress leader said.
On August 1, 2023, the Supreme Court said that there was an “absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery” in the state and despite such a harsh statement from the topmost court, the Modi Government took almost 18-19 months to impose President’s rule, Ramesh said. Why it took 18 months to impose President’s Rule, he asked.
“Why was there no full-time Governor in Manipur for six months? Why did they remove a tribal lady, a distinguished political personality and give additional charge to the governor of Assam?” the Congress leader posted in X.
He noted that the Modi government eventually brought a retired civil servant as a full-time governor. Why was the retired civil servant in question chosen and why did his appointment take so long? he asked.
“Most importantly, why is the Prime Minister still silent on Manipur? Our frequent flyer jets all over the world. He goes to Assam and he visits other parts of the northeast. But why does he refuse to go to Manipur?” Ramesh said.
“The pain of Manipur is the pain of India and I’m glad that the judges of the Supreme Court are going there. Perhaps this visit will provide answers to some of these questions,” he said. Over 200 people were killed, several hundred injured and thousands displaced since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, 2023, when a “tribal solidarity march” was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for scheduled tribe status.
