Morning briefing: SC on places of worship in Manipur; China detects cases of new Covid sub-variant, more news
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The Supreme Court is addressing the aftermath of ethnic violence in Manipur, focusing on restoring places of worship destroyed during clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Chief Justice Chandrachud's bench directed a committee of retired judges, led by Gita Mittal, to propose identification and rebuilding strategies for the affected religious sites. The Manipur government must submit a comprehensive list within two weeks, covering places of worship across all denominations. The court emphasized protection measures against further encroachment and requested a report on the state's restoration policy. The winter break was acknowledged, urging coordination for prompt committee action. Solicitor General Mehta assured arrangements for Christmas ceremonies for riot-affected individuals in relief camps. The court also prompted the state government to propose rehabilitation solutions for those whose homes were destroyed. The committee's recommendations will influence future court orders, reinforcing its commitment to addressing the complex aftermath of the Manipur violence.
China has identified seven cases of the Covid subvariant JN.1, with the national disease control and prevention administration reporting a "very low" prevalence. However, they acknowledge the potential for it to become dominant, citing factors like imported cases. JN.1, a variant closely linked to BA.2.86, involves only a single change in the spike protein, according to the US CDC. The variant was first detected in the United States in September 2023. As of December 8, the CDC estimates JN.1 to constitute 15–29% of total cases in the United States. China's monitoring of JN.1 reflects global concerns about emerging COVID variants, highlighting the need for vigilance and preventive measures.