SC moots even airdropping food, medicine in Manipur due to blockades

SC suggests airdrops of food, meds in Manipur due to road blockades, chickenpox & measles. Govt to take steps to ensure essentials reach affected areas.

The Supreme Court on Friday suggested even airdropping food and medicine in Manipur after Justice Gita Mittal Committee said the situation might turn dire with supplies dwindling due to road blockades, coupled with an outbreak of chickenpox and measles in relief camps lodging victims of ethnic violence.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud directed the Union and Manipur governments to take steps to ensure that food, medicines and essentials reach the affected areas.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for both Manipur and the Centre, said the government would take appropriate steps, but said the committee should remain within its “remit”, and ought to approach the government with hiccups rather than the court.

Senior advocate Meenakshi Lekhi, appearing for the Committee, said the panel was not formally informed about the appointment of nodal officers, representing the State and Centre, with whom they could liasion. Mr. Mehta said nodal officers were appointed and a formal communication would reach the committee “today itself”.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for petitioners, said the prices of essential items have “gone through the roof”. She said there was a serious risk of starvation in some parts of the State. “Lots of people are volunteering to supply food, but are unable to reach the people due to the blockades… The committee has no power to ask the armed forces to remove the blockades,” she submitted.

Blockades in the Moreh region and other areas, including the national highway from Dimapur to Imphal, were mentioned in the court.

Chief Justice Chandrachud said removing blockades was something “easier said than done”. It was a sensitive issue.