Ensure security, relief toviolence-hit in Manipur:SC to Centre, States

 

 

 

CONCERNED over the loss of lives and properties, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and the Manipur Government to take necessary steps for raising security and relief and rehabilitation efforts for those hit by ethnic violence in North-Eastern State, after taking note of submissions that no untoward incidents have been reported there in the last two days. Terming the aftermath of theviolence“humanitarian issues”, a bench headed by Chief JusticeDY Chandrachud emphasisedthat due arrangements mustbe made in the relief campsand the people sheltered therebe provided with basic amenities like food, ration and medical facilities. “We are concerned verydeeply about the loss of livesand properties,” the apex court observed. 

 

The bench, also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, directed all necessary steps be taken for rehabilitation of those displaced and adequate efforts for protecting places of religious worship. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the state government, informed the bench aboutthe steps taken to deal withthe situation.He said 52 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, besides Army and Assam Rifles contingents have been deployed in the violence-hitareasofManipur. Flag marches are being conductedindisturbedareas, he told the bench. Meanwhile,ManipurChief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said that 60 people were killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses including religiousplacesburntintheethnic violence that rocked the Northeastern State for the past few days. Addressing a press conference here, the CM said that the state cabinetresolvedtoprovideexgratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.