Supreme Court Orders Manipur Government to File Report on Ethnic Violence and Property Damage

In a significant move, the Supreme Court, on Monday, has directed the Manipur state government to submit a detailed report on the ethnic violence that has ravaged the state for over 18 months. The Court has asked for an account of the destruction of properties, including buildings that were set on fire, looted, or illegally occupied during the ongoing unrest that began in May 2023.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, instructed the state to present specifics about each violent incident and clarify the measures taken to restore properties to their rightful owners. "We require every detail of such incidents. The report should cover the actions taken by the state and whether encroached or illegally occupied properties have been returned to their original owners, and if the encroachers have been penalised," the bench said.

Further, the Court asked the state government to outline steps taken to address the unauthorised use and occupation of properties and to recover due charges from individuals responsible for such illegal activities. “The report should also specify how the state is handling unauthorised occupation and the recovery of appropriate charges for such unlawful usage,” the bench added, emphasising the need for clarity in the actions taken by both the state and the central governments.

This directive came during the hearing of a batch of petitions concerning the ongoing violence and the administrative failures that have exacerbated the situation. The Court underscored the importance of accountability, urging the state administration to record its actions in response to the violence. Addressing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Manipur government, the bench remarked, “You will have to take a decision on what you want to do and tell us. We can accordingly issue directions.”

While the Supreme Court stressed that both the Union and state governments are responsible for taking action, it clarified that the judiciary would not intervene directly in this matter. "It is the Union and state governments that must take action, not us,” the bench stated. In response, Solicitor General Mehta expressed concerns over the sensitive nature of the information and requested that details of the affected properties be provided to the Court in a sealed envelope to prevent any potential escalation of tensions. “We will also provide information on the recovery of looted arms and ammunition,” Mehta assured. The Top Court has scheduled the next hearing for January 2025.​