3 hrs ago
Supreme Court Seeks Answers Over Manipur Relief Camp Deaths
The Supreme Court is worried about deaths in camps housing people displaced by Manipur’s violence.
It asked the state to explain what happened in 25 deaths considered suspicious or possibly unnatural.
One report said 640 people had died in camps across eight districts.
Only 20 of those deaths had post-mortem examinations, which help determine how someone died.
The court also questioned why some families received only Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 after unnatural deaths.
It ordered that police complaints be registered and that the deaths be investigated quickly.
The government said special teams are already examining thousands of violence-related cases.
The court also wants trials connected to the violence to move faster.
The Supreme Court demanded a detailed report on 25 suspicious or unnatural deaths in Manipur relief camps.
A committee report recorded 640 deaths across camps in eight districts, while post-mortems were conducted in only 20 cases.
The court questioned compensation of Rs 20,000-30,000 in some unnatural-death cases and ordered prompt FIRs and investigations.
The government reported 42 Special Investigation Teams examining 3,020 cases, with 302 charge sheets and 1,583 closure reports filed.
The court urged faster trials in CBI and National Investigation Agency cases and asked the government to consider strengthening Guwahati’s judicial capacity.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Manipur government, the Manipur State Legal Services Authority, investigating agencies, and representatives of displaced victims.
- What
- The court sought details about suspicious deaths in relief camps and ordered FIR registration, investigations, safety measures, and faster related trials.
- Where
- Relief camps across eight districts of Manipur; some related proceedings and proposed trial arrangements involve Guwahati.
- When
- The matter was heard on Thursday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- The court cited concerns about alleged unnatural deaths, limited post-mortems, compensation, sexual harassment, and the safety and dignity of displaced people.
Supreme Court and Victims’ Concerns
Government’s Reported Actions
Deaths and post-mortems
Supreme Court and Victims’ Concerns
The court questioned why only 20 post-mortems were conducted despite reports of suspicious or unnatural deaths and criminal cases.
Government’s Reported Actions
The state was directed to submit records and explain its handling of the deaths; officials reported that investigations were being conducted through state and central agencies.
Investigation progress
Supreme Court and Victims’ Concerns
The court ordered FIRs for all suspicious or unnatural deaths, prompt investigations, and accountability for the safety and dignity of displaced people.
Government’s Reported Actions
The government reported 42 Special Investigation Teams, 3,020 cases, 302 charge sheets, 1,583 closure reports, and 1,135 ongoing investigations.
Trial capacity
Supreme Court and Victims’ Concerns
Victims’ counsel raised concerns that a special court in Guwahati was hearing cases only two days a week, potentially slowing proceedings.
Government’s Reported Actions
The Chief Justice said two hearing days could still advance trials but asked the government to consider two special courts and address the Guwahati High Court’s requirements.
Key facts
- Deaths under review
- The court sought details on 25 suspicious or unnatural deaths; another account referred to more than 30 deaths and 34 cases in connection with post-mortems.
- Deaths recorded
- A committee report recorded 640 deaths in relief camps across eight districts.
- Post-mortems
- Post-mortems were conducted in only 20 cases, according to the report cited by the court.
- Compensation questioned
- The court questioned payments of Rs 20,000-30,000 in some unnatural-death cases.
- State investigations
- The state formed 42 Special Investigation Teams, which registered or examined 3,020 cases.
- Investigation progress
- Charge sheets were filed in 302 cases, closure reports in 1,583, and investigations remained underway in 1,135 cases.
- Trials and CBI cases
- Trials had begun in 33 state-SIT cases; the CBI had investigated 31 cases, filed final reports in 28, and continued investigating three.
Quotes
Supreme Court bench
Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
“The state is also obliged to explain as to why only Rs 20,000-30,000 as compensation was paid to internally displaced persons who met with unnatural deaths while sheltered in relief camps”
rediff.com
“We direct the chief secretary of Manipur to file an affidavit on deaths, especially unnatural deaths, at relief camps in Manipur”
rediff.com
