IT News
New Delhi/Imphal, March 19:
A delegation of six Supreme Court judges is set to visit Manipur as part of the National Legal Services Authority’s (NALSA) ongoing efforts to support communities affected by the ethnic violence that erupted nearly two years ago.
The delegation, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, M.M. Sundresh, K.V. Viswanathan, and N. Kotiswar Singh, will visit the state during the duodecennial celebrations of the Manipur High Court. According to a NALSA press release, the judges will inaugurate a Legal Services Camp, a Health Camp, and Legal Aid Clinics, as well as distribute relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur district on March 22.
However, in a controversial move, the Churachandpur District Bar Association (CDBA) has issued a warning against judges from the Meitei community, urging them not to enter the district. “Lordships belonging to the Meitei community, in the interest of peace and public order, shall not step into our district, even though their names appear in the program,” the CDBA stated in a press release. Notably, one of the six visiting Supreme Court judges is from the Meitei community.
Along with the Supreme Court delegation, Manipur High Court judges Guneshwar Sharma and A. Bimol are expected to accompany the visit.
Justice B.R. Gavai, who serves as NALSA’s executive chairman, will virtually inaugurate legal services and medical camps, as well as new legal aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Ukhrul districts. Relief materials will also be distributed to IDPs as part of the initiative.
NALSA emphasized the importance of ongoing legal and humanitarian assistance, reaffirming its commitment to supporting affected communities in collaboration with the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA). Since the outbreak of violence, MASLSA has established 273 legal aid clinics in relief camps, helping IDPs access government benefits, replace lost documents, and obtain medical aid.
“This visit underscores NALSA’s steadfast commitment to justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable communities. By bridging the gap between legal rights and accessibility, NALSA aims to ensure displaced individuals can rebuild their lives with dignity,” the press release stated.
The initiative will connect IDPs with government welfare programs, ensuring access to critical services such as healthcare, pensions, employment schemes, and identity reconstruction. Additionally, a team of 25 specialized doctors from Chennai will conduct medical camps across all relief sites, offering continued medical support for six days, including treatment and essential medicines for displaced families.