The Supreme Court has directed the Manipur government to furnish comprehensive details of properties destroyed or encroached upon during last year’s ethnic violence in the state.
The court on Monday ordered the submission of this data in a sealed cover, specifying the number of dwelling units and properties that were fully or partially burned or unlawfully occupied.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar also sought a detailed account of the state government’s actions against individuals involved in the destruction and encroachment of properties.
The matter will be taken up for further hearing in the week beginning January 20.
This directive follows the court’s earlier intervention in August 2023, when it formed a three-member committee of former women high court judges to oversee relief, rehabilitation, and compensation for victims.
The court also appointed former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor investigations into the criminal cases arising from the violence.
The ethnic strife erupted on May 3, 2023, during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
The violence has since claimed over 160 lives, left hundreds injured, and resulted in widespread displacement and property damage, aggravating the humanitarian crisis in Manipur.
The apex court emphasized the importance of accountability and justice in addressing the aftermath of the violence, urging the state government to intensify its efforts to restore order and support affected communities.
The submission of detailed data is seen as a critical step toward ensuring transparency and rebuilding trust among the state’s deeply divided communities.
