The Supreme Court on Monday asked the High-Powered Committee constituted to oversee relief and rehabilitation measures in violence-hit Manipur to examine complaints that several affected families are yet to receive the benefits of rehabilitation, including reconstruction of houses damaged during the ethnic violence.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana made the direction while hearing submissions by Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Kuki organisations, who alleged that houses belonging to Kuki families which were destroyed during the violence had not been reconstructed even after three years.

Gonsalves submitted that an earlier order of the Court had noted the destruction of 144 tribal villages and 607 houses belonging to Kuki families. He contended that despite directions for reconstruction, not a single house that had been burnt to the ground had been reconstructed.

Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija, appearing for the Supreme Court-appointed Committee, however, submitted that the Committee had recently received a representation regarding the issue and had written to the State government. She said that whenever a grievance was brought to the Committee's notice, immediate action was taken.

"After May, what has been done about rehabilitation?" the CJI asked.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union, disputed the suggestion that no rehabilitation measures had been undertaken. He submitted that around 12,000 houses had been approved under a PM Yojana for affected families and that around 3,000 temporary shelters had been constructed and were occupied. Makhija also submitted that funds were being provided to beneficiaries for reconstruction.

Gonsalves nevertheless maintained that the houses of affected Kuki families remained to be reconstructed. When he referred to the issue in terms of the Kuki community, the CJI asked, "Why are you talking in communal terms?"

Gonsalves clarified that he was not making a communal submission and urged the authorities to indicate which of the houses identified in the list had actually been reconstructed.

Recording the submissions, the Court said:

"It is urged on behalf of some of the affected families that the relief is yet to percolate at ground level and... families are yet to receive the benefit. We are informed that details of the families have been furnished to the Committee. If that is so, we request the Committee to verify the complaints made by the families and file a status report on the benefits provided. If the petitioners desire, they can furnish particulars to the Committee."

The Court also asked the Committee to examine separate complaints concerning houses allegedly demolished and subsequently occupied by encroachers.

Another counsel appearing for affected Kuki persons submitted that several people who had fled Manipur had houses in Imphal which had allegedly been demolished and occupied by encroachers. It was submitted that although representations had been made before the Committee, no status report had been received.

"We have no place to go," counsel submitted.

Gonsalves added that assailants had broken into certain houses and were presently occupying them. The CJI asked the applicants to furnish a copy of their application to Makhija so that the Committee could examine the allegations. The Court accordingly directed that the Committee may verify the averments made in the application.

The Court further considered concerns regarding alleged encroachment over places of worship. Advocate Shahrukh Alam, for church groups, submitted that there were six churches where immediate fencing was required to prevent encroachment and that claims relating to more than 200 other places of worship were also awaiting verification.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the Court had earlier issued directions regarding dwelling houses and had also directed the State to ensure protection against encroachment over religious places. He noted that representations had been made on Friday identifying six religious places where there was an apprehension of encroachment.

The Court said that the Committee would examine the urgency concerning those places.

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