New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed committee formed to look into the humanitarian aspects of the ethnic violence in Manipur has asked the government in the state to “immediately identify” all religious buildings in the state and protect them from damage and encroachment.

Indian Express has reported that the panel has directed the state to ensure that properties of displaced people are also protected from violence and encroachment.

It additionally asked the state government to conduct a survey of all properties in Manipur, separately identifying the ones which belong to displaced people. It asked that encroachers in such properties be asked to remove themselves.

Among religious places that the committee mentioned in its meeting with government officials on September 8 are churches, Hindu and Sanamahi temples, mosques and buildings of any other religion. The committee called for their identification and for them to be protected irrespective of whether they are still intact or have been vandalised, damaged or burned.

At a press conference earlier this month, Manipur police had said that least 5,172 cases of arson, including 4,786 houses and 386 religious places, were reported in the last four months.

This committee is headed by former Jammu and Kashmir high court Chief Justice Gita Mittal. It also has former Bombay high court judge Shalini P. Joshi and former Delhi high court judge Asha Menon.

Express reported that the committee has considered the contents of a writ petition filed by the Meitei Christian Churches Council, Manipur, which had alleged that "240-247" churches were vandalised, looted and burnt down.

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