Rehabilitation – Supreme Court Seeks Verification of Benefits for Manipur Violence Victims
Rehabilitation –Manipur violence rehabilitation remains under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny as the court has asked its committee to verify claims that nearly 24,000 affected families have not yet received benefits under government rehabilitation and welfare programmes. The direction came during a hearing on the rehabilitation of people who lost their homes, property and livelihoods during the ethnic violence that began in 2023.
Court Reviews Progress on House Reconstruction
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, considered submissions concerning the assistance being provided to families affected by the violence.
The court noted that funds had already been released to more than 4,000 beneficiaries from around 7,000 people identified for assistance to rebuild their houses. Under the rehabilitation scheme, eligible families are entitled to Rs 5 lakh for a kutcha house and Rs 7 lakh for a semi-pucca or pucca house.
The bench was also informed that more than 12,000 houses had been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin for families affected by the violence. Temporary shelters have also been constructed, while Rs 51.95 crore has been released for 885 identified beneficiaries for permanent housing.
Committee Asked to Check Unpaid Benefits
Despite the measures already taken, lawyers representing some affected families told the court that ground-level verification suggested nearly 24,000 families were still waiting to receive benefits under the rehabilitation and welfare schemes.
The court was informed that details concerning these families had been submitted to the three-member committee appointed by it. Chief Justice Surya Kant asked the committee to verify the identities and claims of the families and submit a note on the implementation of the welfare measures previously considered by the court.
The court also noted that families whose homes were completely destroyed had received Rs 1 lakh per household as additional assistance.
Property Claims Sent to Justice Mittal Committee
The bench separately directed that an application relating to properties belonging to affected families be placed before the committee headed by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal.
The committee has been asked to examine the details and current status of the properties before submitting its findings to the Supreme Court. The court also took note of claims involving damage to places of worship. A list of 276 properties was submitted, with the claims requiring verification.
Another list identifying 20 churches where encroachment was allegedly reported was also placed before the court. The Justice Gita Mittal-led committee will examine these representations using relevant documents and land records.
Special Courts Proposed for Violence Cases
The Supreme Court also asked the Manipur and Assam governments, along with other concerned authorities, to consider establishing two special trial courts. One would exclusively deal with cases arising from the violence being investigated by the CBI, while the other would handle matters investigated by the NIA.
The court further directed authorities to ensure that properties found to be covered by the claims do not face any additional encroachment. A report on the property-related issues is to be submitted to the Supreme Court.
Violence Has Displaced Thousands
Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts in opposition to the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the majority Meitei community.
According to the material placed before the court, more than 200 people have died, several hundred have been injured and thousands have been displaced since the violence began.