The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government to furnish in a sealed cover a list of properties, which were either burnt, looted or encroached upon, during the ongoing ethnic clashes in the state.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar passed the order on a petition related to the ethnic clashes, which turned violent in Manipur.
Representing the Justice Gita Mittal Committee, Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija apprised the Court that the Committee has prepared over 34 reports on various tasks undertaken since last year.
She submitted that the Committee managed to touch key humanitarian milestones by doing some pro bono work.
The committee, which has been working 24×7, has taken several laudable rehabilitation measures, such as putting people in hospitality areas, building their skills, and bringing them back to occupy their properties.
The Bench directed Senior Advocate Makhija to file the Committee Reports, to enable the Home Ministry and the State of Manipur to take remedial action.
The Apex Court directed the State of Manipur to file details regarding the buildings, which were either burnt, partially burnt, looted, trespassed, or encroached upon.
The Bench sought details of names and addresses of the owner as well as the person, if any, in occupation of the property.
The State of Manipur was also directed to include the steps taken by the state government to ensure that the persons who had trespassed were proceeded against as per law.
The report should further include details on the release of funds for temporary and permanent housing as flagged by the Mittal Commitee.
The Apex Court directed the State to give details regarding criminal action it intended to take against the guilty, including asking them to pay mesne profits for the use of the occupation (of properties).
Appearing for the State of Manipur, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta agreed to the directions.
He apprised the Court that the first priority was the law and order situation in Manipur, while the second was the number of arms recovered. He said the State had data, but it did not want to share the same in the open court, since it could be highlighted in the media.
During the course of hearing, the top court of the country rejected an intervention application filed by a resident of Delhi seeking welfare of the displaced persons in Manipur.
The SG apprised the Court that the applicant was a Sikh gentleman, with a Christian name and residing in Delhi’s Pitampura, who had no locus in the matter.
The Counsel representing the applicant contended that the trust of people on the Union of India and the Manipur government was at stake. People were looking to the Apex Court, otherwise the situation would only worsen day by day.
The top court of the country dismissed the plea and listed the matter for further hearing after January 20, 2025.
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