The high court instructed the state to retrieve all the encroached waterbodies.

"If any constructions were made on the land which was classified as the waterbodies, the competent authorities shall initiate prosecution/disciplinary actions against the officials who granted the approval/permission for the construction works," the court said.

Post the recent floods in the state, Chief Secretary V Irainabu was asked to give a detailed report by the court on waterbodies that were encroached upon. The chief secretary had then filed a counter-affidavit listing the encroachments and also the steps taken by the government to prevent and recover the encroachments.

(With inputs from agencies)