NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday told the Central and Manipur governments to take necessary steps to remove blockades on national highways, including at Moreh, in order to ensure smooth supply of food, medicines, and other essentials, affected across the state in view of violence started in May.
The court also suggested them to do airdropping wherever possible, if the blockades could not be lifted immediately.
A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala asked the Centre and Manipur government to ensure that necessary steps are taken for smooth supply of food, medicines, and other essentials across the state.
The bench took on record a submission that one option is to lift the blockade and if that is not possible, then at least supplies may be airdropped.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that there are blockades and people are starving. She insisted for airdropping of food supplies.
The counsel said there is no food in Moreh area and the problem is blockade.
She said that the apex court-appointed committee led by Justice Gita Mittal cannot direct the armed forces to remove the blockade. She stressed that food supply is important.
Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the court appointed committee informed the bench that there is an outbreak of chicken pox and measles in some of the relief camps. She also pointed at blockades restricting supplies.
The bench, however, asked why the committees counsel was arguing before the court, rather than informing the government about it.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing both Centre and Manipur, said the government is aware of the same and steps will be taken to restore the supply of food.
The bench directed the Centre and state shall ensure that basic supply of food, medicine and other essential items continue to be distributed in affected areas so that no part of the population suffers, and the removal of blockades is for the law enforcement agencies. The bench said the government should explore all options, including air dropping, if necessary and court shall be apprised of the steps taken to ameliorate the situation.
The top court put the matter, related to relief and rehabilitation measures in strife-torn Manipur, for further hearing next week.
