23 Aug 2023 9:09 AM GMT
In view of the Supreme Court’s judgment on August 10, 2023, passed in Manipur ethnic violence, the Committee, constituted by the Court, submitted three reports wherein appropriate directions were sought. In these reports, the Committee has suggested several measures.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra. In the judgment, the Court directed the constitution of a committee of three women judges to oversee the humanitarian works for the victims. The Committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal (former Chief Justice of J&K High Court), and also consists of Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi (former Bombay HC judge) and Justice Asha Menon (former Delhi HC judge), submitted the said reports before the Supreme Court and have sought for appropriate directions.
Report No. 1
The first report, submitted by the Committee, expressed concerns regarding the non-availability of documents for identification, which could benefit relief and rehabilitation measures reaching the persons affected and displaced by the violence in Manipur. These documents would include Aadhaar cards, election cards, driving licenses, ration cards, BPL cards, etc.
Based on these observations, the Committee sought for following directions:
Report 2
In its second report, after examining it, the Committee listed the salient features of the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 (Scheme). Further, based on National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) scheme and schemes under different State Legal Services Authorities, the Committee suggested certain amendments/modifications in the Scheme. These include:
Given the aforenoted background, the Committee sought for following directions:
Report No. 3
In its Report 3, the Committee has broadly classified the directions issued by the Court under seven thematic subjects. These include compensation, violence against women, Comprehensive psychological assistance, and mental health care. While compensation will be dealt with by the Committee itself, for the other aspects, the Committee has identified highly accomplished and experienced experts to assist in evaluating and considering the same.
The Committee added another subject of Geriatric care to ensure special care is accorded to the elder people. The same was suggested to be dealt with by Dr. Aabha Chaudhary.
The Committee also noted that it is necessary to engage with authorities and officials at all Government machinery levels located in far-flung relief camps in remote districts. However, ascertaining their particulars and contacting them can prove to be complicated. Therefore, urgent assistance from an accomplished and efficient former senior bureaucrat who has served in the Manipur Cadre was suggested. For such purposes, the names Mr. R.R. Rashmi, IAS, Mr. Jarnail Singh, IAS, Mr. A.N. Jha, IAS, Mr. Suresh Babu, IAS were recommended.