Manipur High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Flood and Landslide Crisis

The Court stressed the urgent need for coordinated, timely, and effective actions to protect the life and liberty of citizens affected by the disaster.

Manipur High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the severe flood and landslide crisis that has impacted large parts of the state since late May 2025. Acting on a detailed note submitted by the Registrar General, based on information from the Member Secretary of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority, the Court registered a Public Interest Litigation.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice K. Somashekar and Justice A. Bimol Singh issued notices to 43 respondents, including the State of Manipur represented by the Chief Secretary, and the Union of India represented by the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The PIL demands the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring mechanism to coordinate the efforts of all stakeholders involved in managing the humanitarian crisis caused by floods and landslides.

The Court stressed the urgent need for coordinated, timely, and effective actions to protect the life and liberty of citizens affected by the disaster. It stressed that relief and rehabilitation must address critical needs such as food, shelter, clothing, medical aid, alternate accommodation, compensation, and reconstruction packages for victims.

The PIL highlighted that approximately 19,811 people have been affected across the state, with Imphal East and Senapati districts among the severely hit areas in both the valley and hill regions. More than 3,365 houses have suffered damage, and key public institutions like All India Radio Imphal and the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences have been inundated. Relief camps have been established to shelter displaced residents, and rescue operations involving the police, army, paramilitary forces, disaster relief teams, and NGOs have saved over 800 individuals so far.

The floods and landslides have caused widespread disruption, displacing thousands and damaging important infrastructure. The Court underscored the importance of prioritising nutrition, healthcare, sanitation, safe shelter, and special care for vulnerable groups including children, women, elderly, and differently-abled persons.

It directed all respondents to submit a detailed status report on their ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities by May 9, and announced its plan to oversee the formation of a monitoring committee to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in managing the crisis.

Also Read: Massive Landslide Near Phesama Cuts Off Manipur’s Lifeline NH-2; Heavy Vehicles Diverted, Public Warned

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