Supreme Court Expresses Shock Over Unnatural Deaths in Manipur Relief Camps, Directs Probe
The Supreme Court of India expressed shock over reports highlighting unnatural deaths among internally displaced persons living in relief camps in Manipur following ethnic violence. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana took strong exception to the casualties and directed the Chief Secretary of Manipur to file a comprehensive affidavit explaining the circumstances behind each death and the progress of criminal investigations.
The top court was considering findings submitted by a committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal. The report disclosed unnatural deaths across several relief camps in districts like Jiribam, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, and Imphal. The apex court questioned why post-mortem examinations had not been conducted in all cases and scrutinized the low ex-gratia compensation paid to victims' families compared to ethnic clash victims.
Cautioning state authorities, the Supreme Court mandated that FIRs be registered and investigated expeditiously in all unnatural death cases. It directed the Manipur State Legal Services Authority to submit a status report while emphasizing that the state government must guarantee adequate safety, medical care, and dignity for displaced residents living in relief camps.
