Manipur violence: SC seeks comprehensive report on 25 unnatural deaths in relief camps
Parmod Kumar
New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a comprehensive report from the Manipur Chief Secretary on 25 unnatural deaths reported in relief camps, including an alleged sexual assault case, while questioning the limited number of post-mortem examinations conducted and the payment of only Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 as compensation to the families of the deceased.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the State to furnish details of all 25 cases, including post-mortem reports and other material indicating the cause of death.
The directions came while the court was hearing petitions relating to the investigation and trial of sexual violence cases arising from the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur. During the hearing, the bench considered a report submitted by the committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal, which flagged the unnatural deaths in relief camps and raised concerns over the compensation paid to the victims' families.
The court sought an explanation from the State as to why post-mortem examinations had reportedly been conducted in only 20 of the 25 cases and why compensation of merely Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 had been paid. The committee's report also referred to 640 deaths in relief camps spread across eight districts.
"Tell your Chief Secretary not to invite orders. Tell us what measures you have taken," CJI Surya Kant remarked while questioning the Manipur Advocate General about information sought by the committee on July 4. The bench directed the State to place before it details of the remedial steps taken to ensure the safety and dignity of internally displaced persons living in relief camps, besides measures for providing adequate medical facilities and essential day-to-day necessities.
The Manipur Legal Services Authority was also directed to immediately examine the issue and ensure registration of FIRs in all cases involving unnatural deaths. It was further asked to ensure proper determination of the causes of death, expeditious investigation of such cases, and appropriate measures for the protection of displaced persons and victims.
