Imphal: Five Supreme Court judges arrived here on Saturday and visited various relief camps where displaced persons were staying.
Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice MM Sundresh, Justice KV Viswanathan, and Justice N Kotishwar will also attend a series of legal and humanitarian assistance events, some virtually.
The 12th foundation day celebration of the Manipur High Court will also be organised on Sunday.
The Judges, led by Justice B.R. Gavai, visited Churachandpur and inspected the conditions at Sadbhavna Mandap Relief Camp in Tuibong and met Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing there. Essential relief materials were distributed to assist the affected families.
Justice B.R. Gavai inaugurated several initiatives, including online Legal Services Camps, Medical Camps, and Legal Aid Clinics. These programs aim to provide IDPs with access to vital services such as healthcare, pensions, employment schemes, and reconstruction of identity documents.
Justice B.R. Gavai emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of vulnerable populations and lauded the collaborative efforts of government bodies and volunteers in organizing relief initiatives.
Medical professionals organized health check-ups and distributed free medicines at the relief camp. Additionally, the delegation distributed SANAD certificates to 41 newly enrolled advocates, along with educational supplies for students living in the camps.
As part of their commitment to ensuring comprehensive support for IDPs, various government departments in Churachandpur—including the District Administration, Justice Gita Mittal Residential Skill Training Programme, District Industries Centre (DIC), Zonal Educational Officer (ZEO), District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and Horticulture & Soil Conservation—distributed relief materials such as food, agricultural resources, and skill development kits to the affected families.
The team visited Moirang College Relief Camp in Bishnupur district where Justice N. Kotiswar Singh also participated and interacted with the displaced persons. Justice B. R. Gavai inaugurated a Free Legal Services Camp Cum Free Medical Camp at the relief camp set up at Moirang College. The Judges also distributed relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons as part of the camp.
Justice must come with a touch of humanity, Justice B. R. Gavai said addressing the Free Legal Services Camp Cum Free Medical Camp where a large number of displaced persons had also gathered to welcome the delegation.
He said that the power of the law is not in statutes and regulations but in it’s ability to uplift and empower people. He added that to achieve this we must embrace the principle of empathy and compassion into our legal aid initiatives.
Justice B. R. Gavai stressed the need to humanize the justice system to ensure that it is not perceived as rigid or indifferent but as a system that listens, understands, and acts with sensitivity.
He stated that the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) with its initiatives is trying to reach the remotest places in the country in order to provide justice to the needy and distressed persons.
He added that believing in the principle of justice at the doorsteps, the legal services institutions play a crucial role not just in providing free legal aid to the underprivileged but also in implementing the broader constitutional vision of an inclusive and equitable justice system.
The very foundation of the country’s legal framework rests on the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution, he said further explaining that among these the prime mandate is justice which extends beyond the confines of the courtrooms.
The legal service authorities, the Justice said, are instrumental in upholding this mandate by ensuring that legal aid reaches those who need it the most, the individuals who are marginalized, disadvantaged, or unaware of their legal rights.
Justice B. R. Gavai further highlighted that although much focus is often given to the national legal services authority and its initiatives at the national level, it is the State Legal Services Authorities and District Legal Services Authorities that truly bridge the gap between justice and the people.
These grassroots institutions are tirelessly working on the ground ensuring that legal aid is not just a theoretical right but an accessible right for the most vulnerable section of the society, he said before appreciating the efforts of the District Legal Services Authorities in various districts of the State in ensuring that the relief reaches the distressed people.
Justice B. R. Gavai continued that the northeastern region of India in particular presents unique challenges that make the role of legal service institutions even more critical.
The geographical terrain coupled with the region’s distinct cultural and social identity, he said, necessitates a legal system that is both locally relevant and accessible.
Legal services are often perceived narrowly as providing legal representation in the courts, he said emphasizing the boarder meaning of free legal services. The role of legal services authority, however, extends far beyond appointing lawyers, he added.
True access to justice includes assisting people in obtaining basic legal documentation such as government identification cards, ration cards, birth certificates, and access to welfare schemes, Justice B. R. Gavai said.
For many citizens particularly from remote and underprivileged areas, the legal system can seem daunting, many are unaware of their rights or procedures required to claim their rightful entitlements, he said and highlighted that this is where the legal institutions play the role of not just a provider of legal representations but also as facilitators of justice in everyday life.
Legal Service Authority ensures that victims of crime receive compensation and rehabilitation, that widows and elderly individuals receive their pension benefits, children receive the right to education, and migrant workers, refugees and displaced persons had access to their fundamental rights, he explained.
Justice B. R. Gavai commended the Manipur Legal Service Authorities for its efforts in ensuring that legal aid services reach those who need it the most. He also congratulated the District Legal Service Authorities for reaching out to the people in distress in their hour of need.
Justice B. R. Gavai further appealed to all concerned including the legal fraternity, judicial officers, government agencies, and CSOs to continue working together to strengthen legal aid services in the State. The ultimate goal should be to ensure that no individual in any part of the country including Manipur regardless of their economic background, gender, or community feels justice is out of reach, he said.
The true success of legal aid lies not in the number of cases fought but in the lives it changes, the rights it restored, and the dignity upheld, Mr. Justice B. R. Gavai stated. He also appreciated the medical fraternity for their services.
The camp was also attended by Mr. Justice D. Khrishnakumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur-cum- Patron-in-Chief, MASLA, Justice A. Bimol Singh, Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, all Judges, High Court of Manipur.
UNI
