'We don't trust the state government', Supreme Court gets tough on not taking a Kuki prisoner to hospital in Manipur

The Supreme Court has expressed its dissatisfaction with the government's refusal to transport an undertrial prisoner from the Kuki tribe to a hospital for treatment. The victim is a member of the Kuki community, which is a minority in Manipur.

On Wednesday, the division bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Ujjwal Bhuyan issued a forceful statement while hearing Lunkhongam Haokip's plea. Haokip, who is currently in jail, claims to be suffering from piles and tuberculosis. Despite his significant back discomfort, the jail administration has not sent him to the hospital.

When Haokip of the Kuki community said that he did not trust the government, the court said on this matter that it was very sad. We order a medical examination of Haokip. If something serious is found in the medical report, we will take further action. The court has sought a detailed report by July 15.

The state government has also been asked to bear the expenses of the prisoner's treatment as well as his travel. It is noteworthy that Haokip's lawyer claimed that despite repeated requests, Haokip, who is in jail, has not been given medical assistance.