The Manipur government has notified an upgraded compensation scheme for women victims and survivors of sexual assault and other crimes. The government has allowed applications for the compensation, ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh, to be filed physically before the State Legal Services Authority or the District Legal Services Authority or online from anywhere in the country.
The notification, dated September 14, set out the schedule of injuries and crimes for which women victims will be given compensation, with the amount varying depending on the nature of the crime, the severity of the injury, loss of employment, and other associated factors.
Also read | 175 killed, over 1,100 injured in four months of Manipur violence: police
Upgraded scheme
The scheme is being notified after being upgraded in accordance with the National Legal Services Authority’s scheme. While the Manipur government said that it was notifying the upgraded scheme in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court on August 21 in matters connected to the ethnic conflict in the State, the scheme does not mention anywhere that it is specific to victims of the violence that began on May 3.
“It shall apply to the victims and their dependent(s) who have suffered loss, injury, as the case may be, as a result of the offence committed and who require rehabilitation,” it says.
The Manipur government also notified the creation of the Women Victims Compensation Fund, to be under the control of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority, and issued details of compensation amounts for about 20 different kinds of injuries and crimes.
Compensation range
For instance, for victims who have lost their lives or those who have been gangraped, the compensation ranges from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. For other crimes, including rape, sexual assault, and injuries such as loss of limbs or body parts, compensation amounts vary from ₹1 lakh to ₹9 lakh. There have also been specific categories added for victims who lost a foetus as a result of the assault, as well as in the case of pregnancy as a result of the assault.
Victims covered under multiple categories will be entitled to the combined compensation amounts.
The proforma for applying for compensation has also been put out by the State government. It seeks information on the incident in question, whether an FIR had been registered, whether a medical examination had been done, the status of the trial, and details on the financial loss incurred, along with basic information about the victim.
