Manipur hills delegation may go without Meitei judges—Will they join?

Justice N Kotiswar Singh, the sole Meitei judge in the Supreme Court, might not venture into Kuki-dominated areas of Manipur on a visit by a group of Supreme Court judges on March 22 to take stock of the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and consolidate legal and humanitarian assistance efforts.

Manipur State Legal Services Authority

An amended schedule received on Wednesday evening by the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) did not mention justice Singh in the list of judges who have visited relief camps in Churachandpur, a majority Kuki district that was at the epicenter of ethnic unrest between the Meitei and Kuki peoples in May 2023. As per individuals in the know, the move was taken following a statement released by the Churachandpur District Bar Association (CDBA).

National Legal Services Authority

The Supreme Court team would be headed by justice Bhushan R Gavai, who is the executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (Nalsa), and comprise justices Vikram Nath, MM Sundresh and KV Viswanathan. Justice Surya Kant, who was originally with the team, will not be going to Manipur because of previous commitments. Two judges of the Manipur high court, justices A Bimol and Guneshwar Sharma, both Meiteis, are also likely to accompany the visit but individuals close to the matter said they too are not likely to go to the hill districts.

Launch legal services camps

As part of the initiative, justice Gavai will virtually launch legal services camps, medical camps, and new legal aid clinics in districts like Imphal East, Imphal West, and Ukhrul. The legal services camps, as per a Nalsa statement, will enable IDPs to access government welfare schemes, such as health care, pensions, employment schemes, and reconstruction of identity documents.