The High Court of Manipur has directed that a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Anthony Naulak seeking detailed information and enhanced welfare measures for internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in relief camps across Churachandpur District and other parts of the State be forwarded to the Supreme Court-appointed committee that is already examining issues related to violence, relief, and rehabilitation in Manipur.
The three-member committee, comprising Justice Gita Mittal (former Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir High Court), Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi (former Judge, Bombay High Court), and Justice Asha Menon (former Judge, Delhi High Court), was constituted by the Supreme Court of India under its order dated August 7, 2023, in the Gangmei case to oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts in the State.
A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma passed the order on October 28, 2025, while disposing of PIL No. 25 of 2025, clubbed with MC (PIL) No. 33 of 2025.
The PIL had sought several directions, for the IDPs in Churachandpur District, including disclosure of the total number of relief camps, both operational and closed, along with demographic details of inmates, total funds sanctioned and utilized, and reasons for the closure of certain camps. It also sought details of financial assistance provided to IDPs, including the Rs.1,000 one-time grant and Rs. 80-per-day assistance announced by the Government.
In addition, the petitioner requested the Court to direct authorities to increase daily assistance from Rs.80 to Rs.100, provide five rounds of Rs. 1,000 payments, ensure weekly medical camps, supply nutritious food including meat once a week, construct more toilets in the relief camps across all affected districts, and audit and publish fund utilization reports on the websites of the concerned district administrations.
The petitioner was represented by advocate Siam Phaipi through video conferencing, while Advocate General Lenin Hijam, State counsel Dimal Kumar, and Senior Panel Counsel for the Centre W. Darakeshwar Singh appeared for the respondents.