Five-member delegation arrives at Guwahati airport to leave for Imphal, Manipur

Guwahati: Five members of the Supreme Court Judges delegation headed by Justice BR Gavai arrived at Guwahati airport ready to depart for Imphal, Manipur. Today the team, including Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, MM Sundresh, KV Viswanathan and N Kotishwar is expected to tour Manipur relief camps.

As Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Justice Gavai would virtually open new legal aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul districts, as well as legal services camps and medical camps in all Manipur districts.

Furthermore, basic humanitarian supplies will be distributed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The legal services camps will link IDPs with government welfare programs, therefore guaranteeing access to essential benefits such as healthcare, pensions, job programs, and identity document restoration.

Earlier on March 18, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh hailed the six Supreme Court justices who will visit relief camps in violence-torn Manipur on March 22, to bolster legal and humanitarian help.

Speaking with ANI, Jairam asked why the President’s authority was not imposed in the state suffering from violence.

“We applaud the six Supreme Court justices’ decision to go (to Manipur) on March 22nd. The Supreme Court declared in August 2023 that constitutional machinery had completely broken down. The Supreme Court used those same words; however, in spite of that, the administration took nearly eighteen to nineteen months to install the President’s authority. Why was the President’s rule imposed, taking eighteen months? Why, for six months, was there no full-time Governor? They dismissed a tribal woman, a well-known political figure, and gave the Assamese Governor more responsibility. They brought a retired civil servant on full-time governorship. The reason is… Why did it drag on so long?” The MP from Congress remarked.

Following a gathering on May 3, 2023 by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM), the violence in Manipur between the Hindu Meiteis and the Christian tribe Kuki erupted.

The whole State was in the grasp of violence; the Central government had to send paramilitary troops to restore order.