Distribute food, medicine in Manipur, orders SC
Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and Manipur government to ensure distribution of food supplies and medicines to people in the affected areas of Manipur.
Considering the fact that the distribution of basic supplies is largely affected due to blockades in Manipur, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud observed that the government authorities should explore airdropping of supplies.
The SC observed that since it is a «humanitarian issue», the manner in which blockades are to be removed will be dealt with by the law enforcement agencies.
The bench asked the Centre and the Manipur government to take immediate and adequate steps in this regard and report the progress by next Wednesday.
The bench also noted the contention of one of the petitioners that a total of 642 religious places have been destroyed in Manipur which require restoration.
The state authorities have been asked to take instructions in this regard.
Meanwhile, a three-member former all women judge committee headed by Justice (retd) Gita Mittal has submitted a total of six reports to the Supreme Court.
Last week, the top court transferred the cases of violence in Manipur being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to Assam.
The decision was taken bearing in mind the «overall environment» in Manipur and the «need for ensuring a fair process of criminal justice system.»
A bench headed by the CJI D Y Chandrachud had passed the directions and urged the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to nominate one or more judicial officers, including that of the rank of district and sessions judges in Gauhati to kickstart the trials.
