Manipur violence: SC directs Centre, state to ensure distribution of basic supplies

The Supreme Court urged the Centre and the Manipur government on Friday to ensure that basic supplies such as food, medicines, and other necessities are distributed to people impacted by the Manipur unrest so that no citizens are left without basic human services.

On the dismantling of the roadblock on National Highways and other areas obstructing rations, the bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala stated that the manner in which the blockade is dealt with is within law enforcement.
However, given the humanitarian nature of the situation, the government should investigate all alternatives, including airdropping vital materials, according to the Supreme Court.

It requested that the Centre and the Manipur government tell it of their actions on the next date of hearing. The case was then scheduled for a hearing on September 6. The Supreme Court issued the directives after senior counsel Meenakshi Arora appeared on behalf of the judges’ committee it formed to deal with the humanitarian aspects of the case.

Arora stated that there are two issues: first, blockades in Manipur’s Moreh district that have prevented people from receiving basic food, and second, an outbreak of chickenpox and measles in several relief camps.

The bench also took note of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s testimony that nodal officers had been selected by Manipur and the Central government.