The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, has initiated proceedings in response to a plea filed by two women from the Kuki tribal community. The plea urges the court to direct government hospitals to provide free medical treatment to individuals fleeing violence-stricken areas of Manipur. Additionally, the plea seeks the establishment of appropriate guidelines to ensure the lodging of zero First Information Reports (FIRs), citing alleged resistance from local police in registering cases related to the violence.
The bench issued a notice on the plea and also decided to tag it with other pending matters related to the Manipur violence, recognizing the interconnected nature of these cases.
Represented by Advocate-on-Record Amrita Sarkar and Adv. Siam Phaipi, the petitioners paint a vivid picture of the turmoil faced by people who have been uprooted from their homes due to the ongoing violence in Manipur. The plea highlights the dire circumstances faced by the petitioners and others, who are struggling to survive in the aftermath of the violence and displacement.
In light of the escalating violence, the plea proposes the establishment of an online portal that facilitates the release of central and state-sanctioned family pensions to victims of violence. The plea suggests that this process should not necessitate physical document verification. The petitioners advocate for the creation of an online platform where victims can upload their medical documents to claim reimbursement. Additionally, the plea recommends an online portal to upload complaints and FIRs for investigation and compensation purposes.
The petition outlines the distressing experiences of the petitioners and their families amid the violence. The mother and brother of the first petitioner lost their lives due to mob attacks. Although the first petitioner's father lodged an FIR, no action was taken. Furthermore, the mob assaulted the first petitioner's one-year-old nephew, and the second petitioner was also subjected to violence. The petition alleges that the police provided little assistance amidst the chaos.
The petitioners' appeal to the Court stems from the alleged targeting of Kuki tribal communities based on misconceptions outlined in hate speech and interviews by ministers and state agencies. The plea emphasizes the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, asserting that these rights have been repeatedly denied to the Kuki tribal communities in Manipur.
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