Assistance provided by State Legal Services to stranded individuals from Manipur

Imphal, April 22nd 2020

Assistance provided by State Legal Services to stranded individuals from Manipur

The Hon’ble Executive Chairman and the Member Secretary, Manipur State Legal Services Authority had requested all the State Legal Services Authorities of the country to provide all possible help and assistance to all the stranded persons from Manipur on account of the nationwide lockdown.

In pursuance thereof, it is a pleasure to mention that all the State Legal Services Authorities have responded positively to the call of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority. Necessary directions have been communicated to each concerned District Legal Services Authority to liaise with the concerned district administration, so that the stranded persons from Manipur are looked after properly in these times.

To mention a few, Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority have communicated that they have reach out to all the persons, as was provided by us. They are coordinating with the different departments in providing all necessary assistance.

Amongst them, 138 persons have reportedly stated that they require no extra assistance as of now, but 28 of them have expressed their need to provide them with assistance. Accordingly, they have initiated steps to provide them with the necessary assistance.

Punjab State Legal Services Authority have expressed that they have already initiated steps to provide all possible assistance to all the stranded persons not only from Manipur, but from the North East in general prior to our request. They have even established a special Legal Aid Clinic, comprising of only North Eastern students to facilitate all possible help. They have given assurance that all of them are their responsibility, and have started distributing packed foods and other rations.

Gujarat State Legal Services Authority has also responded earnestly to our request and has started contacting all the persons on individual basis. They have started distributing ration kits to the stranded individuals from Manipur in coordination with the district administration.

It is also worth mentioning here that Vodadara Police have now initiated a campaign to provide all possible assistance to stranded persons from North East in general, and are even supplying rations wherever possible.

Of the 198 students stranded in Baruch, the Baruch District Legal Services Authority reported that they are trying to provide regular supply of rice (our staple diet) in addition to the chapattis the students are having in their hostels.

Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority have also started contacting all the individuals as per the list provided by us, and has started distribution of ration kits and other supplies in coordination with the district administration.

Delhi State Legal Services Authority also started distribution of rations, in Shahdhara, Burari and Sant Nagar area as of now, to the Manipuris who are stranded on account of the lockdown. Here, it is noteworthy to mention that as per the list of individuals shared with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority, there were more than 6000 people from Manipur.

Assistance provided by State Legal Services to stranded individuals from Manipur

Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority has also contacted most of the persons individually. At present, they are coordinating with the district administration to provide all essential rations, including packed food to all the stranded persons.

Kerala State Legal Services Authority has also responded promptly to our request, and by co-ordination with the local administration. They are ensuring that all stranded persons are well taken care of. They have also individually contacted almost all the persons, including primary school students who are presently stranded in hostels. They have talked with the warden and the school authorities, and have exchanged their numbers also.

Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority has also initiated contacting all the persons from Manipur as per the list provided. They are coordinating with the district administration of Mathura, to provide all such possible help and assistance to 46 yatris from Manipur (including aged women), who are presently stranded at Radhakunda on their trip to Brindaban.

Assam State Legal Services Authority has also initiated steps to provide all possible assistance, including providing help to such persons who have been quarantined on account of the nationwide lockdown.

Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority has also initiated steps to contact all the persons individually and is coordinating with the concerned district administration to such persons. Regular update is being shared with Manipur State Legal Services Authority of the progress and for co-ordination.

Puducherry State Legal Services Authority has responded promptly to our request and hadcontacted all the students. As of now, it is reported that they are staying safe in their hostels and assured that all possible help and assistance will be provided whenever required.

Assistance provided by State Legal Services to stranded individuals from Manipur

Nagaland State Legal Services Authority has also stated that they have started contacting all the stranded individuals from Manipur, especially around Dimapur area. Dimapur District Legal Services Authority have expressed that all possible assistance will be provided to them, by coordinating with the district administration. They have sorted out the persons who require assistance, and have initiated steps to provide the same.

Not to say the least, Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Karnataka State Legal Services Authority and West Bengal State Legal Services Authority have also communicated to us that they have taken all necessary steps to provide all such aid and assistance to all the stranded persons from Manipur.

Here, it is to be mentioned that the National Legal Services Authority is the apex body of all the legal services institutions in the country. It is headed by Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India as its Patron-In-Chief and the second senior most judge of the Supreme Court of India as its Executive Chairman.

The same holds true for all the State Legal Services Authorities. For Manipur State Legal Services Authority, Hon’ble the Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur is the Patron-in-Chief and the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kh. Nobin Singh is the Executive Chairman at present.

Manipur State Legal Services Authority also would like to take this opportunity to express its profound gratefulness to all the State Legal Services Authorities for all the wonderful help and assistance extended to the stranded people of Manipur, and which are continuing still.

Here, it is also to be noted that all the State Legal Services Authorities, despite with its limited resources, are able to coordinate with the district administrations and the executive branch of the government to provide all such possible help and assistance.

At the same time, Manipur State Legal Services Authority also would like to express its gratitude and solidarity to the Government of Manipur, for all assistance received in compilation of the consolidated list of the stranded individuals of Manipur as well as in facilitating all such assistance in general.

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(Sorokhaibam Sadananda)
Deputy Member Secretary,

Manipur State Legal Services Authority
(ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex, Imphal West - 795004)