SC asks panel to verify claims of Manipur violence-hit families yet to get rehabilitation benefits

The Supreme Court has instructed a committee to confirm claims that approximately 24,000 families affected by the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur have yet to receive rehabilitation benefits under government schemes. The court also ordered the formation of two specialized trial courts to handle CBI and NIA cases stemming from the violence.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, heard arguments from lawyers, including senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, regarding the lack of benefits for affected tribal populations. The court reviewed measures taken by the government to aid affected families, noting that funds have been distributed to over 4,000 beneficiaries out of around 7,000 identified for house reconstruction.

The government's Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin scheme provides ₹5 lakh for makeshift houses and ₹7 lakh for semi-pucca or permanent structures. However, the court also acknowledged that temporary shelters have been set up for 12,000 approved houses, with ₹51.95 crore allocated for 885 permanent homes. Families whose dwellings were entirely destroyed have received ₹1 lakh per household.

The bench requested the three-member committee to verify the affected families' details and subsequently report on the implementation of government welfare schemes. Additionally, the committee must examine claims related to damages to places of worship and address any encroachments on verified properties. Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, following a Tribal Solidarity March protesting the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Over 200 individuals have been killed, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced since the violence began.