NEW DELHI, March 18: In a move aimed at bolstering legal and humanitarian support in the violence-hit state of Manipur, six Supreme Court judges will visit relief camps where displaced people are residing. The visit, scheduled for March 22, 2025, is organized by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), which seeks to provide legal aid and connect the displaced individuals with government welfare programs.
The six judges scheduled to visit Manipur are Justice BR Gavai, also the Executive Chairman of NALSA, along with Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice MM Sundresh, Justice KV Viswanathan, and Justice N Kotiswar Singh. NALSA highlighted that the visit marks the ongoing necessity for legal and humanitarian assistance in Manipur, two years after the Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence that led to over 50,000 people being displaced.
During their visit, Justice Gavai will inaugurate legal services and medical camps across all districts of Manipur. These camps will provide displaced people with access to legal aid, healthcare, pension schemes, employment programs, and the reconstruction of lost identity documents. Furthermore, NALSA is setting up legal aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Ukhrul districts.
In addition, a medical team of 25 doctors from Chennai will provide continued support and medical treatment at the relief centres for six days, ensuring displaced families receive the necessary care and essential medicines.
NALSA, which has played a crucial role in offering legal aid to the affected communities throughout the ongoing crisis, has already set up 273 special legal aid clinics at various relief camps. These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between displaced individuals and their entitlements, ensuring that every person receives the support needed to rebuild their lives with dignity.
The visit by the Supreme Court judges coincides with the duodecennial event of the Manipur High Court on the same day, symbolizing a significant commitment to justice for marginalized communities in the state.
NALSA, established in 1995, continues to coordinate and monitor the implementation of legal services across India, ensuring that legal aid reaches the most vulnerable sections of society.
