The Supreme Court of India has demanded a detailed explanation from the Manipur Chief Secretary regarding the fatalities of internally displaced individuals inside the state's temporary relief camps. During the hearing, the apex court expressed serious concern over these deaths, particularly focusing on those categorized as unnatural, which occurred during the ongoing ethnic crisis in the region.
A judicial bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, ordered the Chief Secretary to submit a comprehensive affidavit. This legal document must clarify the exact circumstances leading to these deaths and outline the specific measures implemented by the state to investigate each incident. The court took a stern view of the situation, questioning why proper legal and medical procedures were seemingly bypassed in several instances.
Discrepancies in Medical Examinations and Compensation
One of the primary concerns raised by the bench was the low number of post-mortem examinations conducted following these fatalities. The Supreme Court asked the state government to explain why autopsies were carried out in only 20 out of the 34 reported deaths in the camps. The judges emphasized that a lack of post-mortems in suspected unnatural deaths hampers the justice system and leaves families without clear answers.
In addition to the medical discrepancies, the court scrutinized the financial assistance provided to the families of those who lost their lives under unnatural circumstances while residing in these relief shelters. The bench noted that the current compensation amounts, which range between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000, appeared highly inadequate for families who have already lost their homes and livelihoods due to the violence.
Legal Interventions and Safety Measures
To ensure a structured response, the bench instructed the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) to present an independent status report on the current situation. The MSLSA has been directed to make sure that formal First Information Reports (FIRs) are promptly filed in every single case involving an unnatural death. Furthermore, the legal body is tasked with monitoring the ongoing investigations closely to ensure they are wrapped up in a timely and efficient manner.
Beyond legal proceedings, the Supreme Court stressed the need for systemic improvements within the relief camps. The court directed that robust measures must be put in place to protect the safety, security, and personal dignity of the displaced citizens currently taking shelter in these temporary setups across Manipur.
Findings of the High-Level Inquiry Committee
The court's latest directions came after it reviewed detailed reports compiled by a special committee. This panel, constituted by the Supreme Court in August 2023, is led by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal and includes an IAS officer. Their findings revealed that more than 30 displaced persons had died inside the relief camps, with the report highlighting one particularly grave allegation involving sexual assault.
The bench also touched upon the progress of judicial trials related to the ethnic violence. The judges expressed hope that the two special trial courts established specifically to adjudicate cases handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would move forward with their proceedings swiftly and without unnecessary delays.
Progress of CBI and SIT Investigations
Providing an update on the legal actions taken so far, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing both the CBI and the Manipur state government, presented key data to the court. Bhati stated that the CBI has taken up 31 cases related to the conflict, having already completed and filed final reports in 28 of them, while three remain under active investigation.
For cases falling outside the CBI's purview, the Manipur administration has set up 42 Special Investigation Teams (SITs) operating across eight districts. According to the official statistics presented to the bench, these state-level SITs have registered a total of 3,020 cases. Out of these, chargesheets have been filed in 302 cases, and closure reports have been submitted in 1,583 instances. Meanwhile, investigations are still active in 1,135 cases, and trials have already commenced in 33 cases handled by the state's specialized teams.
The Roots of the Ethnic Crisis
The displacement crisis in Manipur is the direct result of intense ethnic clashes that erupted on May 3, 2023. The violence was triggered following a tribal solidarity march organized in the hill districts of the state, which was held to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The ensuing conflict has claimed numerous lives, left countless individuals injured, and forced thousands of families to flee their homes and seek refuge in state-run camps.
