‘We do not trust Manipur government’: Strong criticism from Supreme Court for not taking Kuki undertrial to hospital

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court strongly criticized the Manipur government. The criticism of the court was while considering the petition of Lunkhongam Haokip who is in jail due to the conflict. Observing that the trial prisoner was not given treatment because he belonged to a particular community, the court also pointed out that 'We don't trust Manipur government'.

"We do not trust the State...The accused was not taken to hospital because he is from the Kuki community. So sad! We direct him to be examined now. If the medical report reveals something serious, we will take you to task," the bench said.

Manipur government was criticized by a bench comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan. The court directed that the Kuki category prisoner who is currently lodged in the Manipur Central Jail should be immediately transferred to the Guwahati Medical College and his treatment must be ensured.

The court also ordered that the Manipur government should bear the medical expenses of the prisoner. The court also directed that the medical report be submitted by the fifteenth of this month. The prisoner, Lunkhongam Haokip, had piles and tuberculosis. A petition was filed showing that the jail authorities did not accept it at face value although the matter of back pain was also brought to their attention along with other diseases.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said in the Rajya Sabha that the central government was making continuous efforts to restore peace in Manipur. He also said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is constantly interfering in the matter.