Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over reports of numerous deaths, including cases of unnatural death, among internally displaced persons (IDPs) staying in relief camps in Manipur. The court directed the state’s chief secretary to submit an affidavit outlining the action taken in connection with the reported deaths.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, sought an explanation from the Manipur government over the alleged lack of substantial action on information submitted by the Justice Gita Mittal committee concerning deaths in relief camps.

“We direct the chief secretary of Manipur to file an affidavit on deaths, especially unnatural deaths, at relief camps in Manipur,” the bench said.

The court also questioned why postmortems had been conducted in only 20 of the 34 reported cases of death.

It further sought an explanation for the relatively low compensation of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 reportedly provided to IDPs who died unnatural deaths while residing in relief camps.

The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) was directed to submit a separate status report on the matter.

The Chief Justice also asked the legal services authority to ensure that FIRs are registered in every case involving an unnatural death and that the investigations are completed without undue delay.

The MSLSA was additionally directed to take steps to safeguard the security and dignity of IDPs residing in relief camps.

The directions came after the court considered reports submitted by the Justice Gita Mittal committee and an IAS officer, which indicated that more than 30 people had died in relief camps. One of the reported deaths was allegedly linked to sexual assault.

The Supreme Court also expressed hope that two special trial courts set up to exclusively deal with CBI and NIA cases related to the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence would complete proceedings at the earliest.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the CBI and the Manipur government, informed the court that the CBI had investigated 31 cases and submitted final reports in 28. Investigations in the remaining three cases are still underway.

For cases not being investigated by the CBI, the Manipur government has formed 42 special investigation teams (SITs), comprising local police personnel and operating across eight districts, Bhati said.

According to the government, the SITs have registered 3,020 cases and filed chargesheets in 302 cases. Closure reports have been submitted in 1,583 cases, while investigations in 1,135 cases are still pending.

Trials have commenced in 33 cases investigated by the state-constituted SITs, the government informed the court.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Manipur and Assam governments and other concerned authorities to examine the possibility of establishing two special courts dedicated to CBI and NIA cases arising from the ethnic violence.

The conflict in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, following a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts over the demand for Scheduled Tribe status for the majority Meitei community.

The violence has claimed more than 200 lives, left hundreds injured and displaced thousands of people.