A Supreme Court-appointed committee, led by former Chief Justice Gita Mittal, has underscored the critical need for the reconstruction of thousands of essential documents lost or destroyed during the violent turmoil that has engulfed Manipur since May. The committee's emphasis on this endeavour as the foremost step to revive the state's well-being has garnered attention.
Having convened with stakeholders on August 19, the committee, including Justices Shalini Phansalkar Joshi and Asha Menon, both former High Court judges, filed three distinct reports in the Supreme Court. These reports reflect the committee's commitment to address the multifaceted challenges posed by the ongoing unrest in Manipur.
Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud had assigned this all-women committee the pivotal role of providing a "healing touch" to Manipur's recovery process, encompassing relief and rehabilitation measures, restoration of homes, and protection of religious sites. This initiative strives to reaffirm the Manipur people's faith in the rule of law.
The initial report submitted by the committee accentuates the loss of indispensable documents suffered by displaced residents. To address this, the committee recommends the appointment of a nodal officer responsible for the meticulous reconstruction of these crucial documents, which include Aadhaar cards. These documents, intertwined with benefits distribution and access to bank accounts, highlight their significance in the lives of the affected population.
Furthermore, the committee's second report delves into the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme (MVCS), urging substantial improvements to align it with schemes formulated by the National Legal Services Authority. It emphasizes rectifying an issue where victims of Manipur's violence were deemed ineligible for MVCS benefits if they had previously received assistance from other schemes. The court underscored that this disparity does not exist in other states.
The committee's comprehensive assessment outlines key focus areas for intervention in Manipur. These areas encompass rehabilitation for women who are victims of violence, holistic psychological support, healthcare provisions, relief camps, and accurate data reporting. Acknowledging the complexity of these matters, the committee seeks collaboration with domain experts to navigate these domains effectively.
In parallel, the Supreme Court has acknowledged the committee's role in steering Manipur towards recovery. The court has scheduled procedural directions to be issued, addressing administrative support, funding, publicity, and infrastructural needs, further cementing the committee's mission to restore normalcy in Manipur.
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