Manipur Violence | Supreme Court Asks State To Inform Steps Taken To Restore Places Of Worship To Court Appointed Committee

The Supreme Court today (15.5.2023) directed the State of Manipur to furnish to the court appointed committee steps it had taken to restore the places of worship which had been destructed in the ethnic violence. The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra also recorded the assurance given by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta that necessary steps would be taken so that all those in relief camps could celebrate the upcoming festival of Christmas.

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for Meitei Christian Churches Council, submitted that the court-appointed committee for rehabilitation in the State headed by Justice Gita Mittal had made certain recommendations to restore the places of worship and requested the court to accept the same. Ahmadi clarified that the relief was sought regarding places of worship of all communities and not confined to any particular religion.

The CJI asked–

"What is being done by State to protect the places of worship that were vandalised? What is the state doing to restore?"

To this, ASG Bhati submitted that the State of Manipur had filed a detailed affidavit as per which the process of identification of destroyed places of worship and subsequent securing of the same had already been done. At this juncture, Ahmadi submitted that with the festival of Christmas approaching, steps should be taken to ensure its celebration. He said– 

"The reason why I'm pressing is that Christmas is approaching. Let them have a place to congregate. We are a religious society, that is important for them."

Passing directions in the matter, the CJI remarked– "Today is the last working day for us. But we'll issue certain directions to the committee. But at the same time, work of restoration takes time. But these things should move forward."

In order to further facilitate the exercise being carried out by the committee, the following directions were passed-

"1. The Government of Manipur within two weeks shall furnish to the court-appointed committee, the identification carried out of destructed places of worship. We clarify that the identification shall be across all religious denominations and of all sorts of religious places.

2. The State of Manipur shall tell the court-appointed committee of steps taken to secure the places of worship.

3. Based on the exercise of identification, we permit the committee to prepare a comprehensive proposal for a way forward  in regard to restoration of places of worship."

The bench added that the committee would be at liberty to take a comprehensive view of the matter including supervening events of encroachment/occupation of places of worship. The bench added–

"Large number of persons belonging to various communities would presently be in relief camps across Manipur. In view of the impending approach of Christmas, SG and ASG Bhati assure the court that necessary steps will be taken so that all those in relief camps can celebrate."

Further, the remit of committee was extended to 6 months. 

Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta submitted that the State of Manipur shall also make a policy for rehabilitation of the houses that were destroyed in the violence. In this regard, he filed two affidavits. Taking the same into account, the bench held–

"The State of Manipur shall, after evaluating the situation, and after independently carrying out an investigation bring out a comprehensive proposal or response as the case may be for restoration of houses destroyed in the violence."

Case Title: Dinganglung Gangmei v Mutum Churamani Meetei And Ors Diary No. 19206-2023 and connected cases

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