Manipur Violence Report: The Supreme Court has directed the Manipur government to submit a detailed report on properties and houses that were partially or fully burned, looted, or encroached during the ethnic violence in the state. This report must include specifics about ownership, current occupants, and legal action taken against the encroachers, submitted in a sealed envelope.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar emphasized the need for resolving grievances of displaced individuals and restoring their properties. The court instructed the state to decide whether the issue will be addressed through criminal action or by asking encroachers to compensate legitimate owners as an “interim benefit.”
“Interim benefit” refers to compensation paid by those illegally occupying a property to its rightful owner. The court also sought a response on releasing funds for temporary and permanent housing for those affected, an issue raised by a committee chaired by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, assured the court that maintaining law and order and recovering arms are the government’s top priorities. While acknowledging the availability of property-related data, he expressed concerns about disclosing it publicly due to potential media misrepresentation.
The bench noted that no orders would be passed on supplementary applications filed by other parties as the responsibility to act lies with the central and state governments. The next hearing is scheduled for the week beginning January 20, 2025.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had constituted a committee of three retired women judges to oversee relief, rehabilitation, and compensation for victims of the violence. Additionally, former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar was appointed to monitor the investigation of criminal cases.
The ethnic violence, which erupted on May 3, 2023, following a tribal solidarity march opposing the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, has resulted in over 200 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
