Center sets up 3-member panel to probe Manipur violence; Report sought in six months

New Delhi: The Center has constituted a three-member commission of inquiry headed by former Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajay Lamba to probe the incidents of violence that began in Manipur in early May. The Commission shall submit its report to the Central Government as soon as may be but not later than six months from the date of its first meeting.

The Government of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has notified a Commission of Inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, which will be headed by former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice Ajay Lamba, along with Himanshu Shekhar Das, IAS (Retd) and Alok . Prabhakar, IPS (Retd) as member, to investigate the incidents of violence that took place on and after May 3 in the state of Manipur, the official notification said.

In a release, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the commission will inquire into the causes and spread of violence in Manipur and whether there was any lapse on the part of any responsible officials or persons. The headquarters of the Commission will be at Imphal, the capital of Manipur.

Meanwhile, a total of 202 arms, 252 ammunition and 92 bombs of all types have been recovered after Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Manipur. A total of 789 arms and 10648 ammunition have been recovered so far. Kuldeep Singh, security advisor to the Manipur government, said the overall situation in Manipur is under control.

Amit Shah appealed to the people to remove the blockade

There are reports of jam on Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the people to remove the jam. In his tweet, the home minister said, “It is my humble appeal to the people of Manipur to remove the blockades on the Imphal-Dimapur, NH-2 highway, so that food, medicines, petrol/diesel and other essential commodities can reach the people.” ” People. I also request that civil society organizations take necessary action to bring about a consensus. Only together we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state.

“We hope that the people will certainly heed the appeal of the Home Minister and remove the blockade on the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2 at the earliest,” said an official release.

Curfew relaxed in Manipur

“Curfew has been relaxed for 12 hours in the Valley and for 10 hours and 07 hours in the neighboring hill districts. 23 more arms have been recovered during the last 24 hours. This takes the total recovered to 202 arms, 252 ammunition and 92 bombs” All types of weapons have been recovered after the Home Minister’s visit. A total of 789 arms and 10648 ammunition have been recovered so far.’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur from May 29 to June 1, 2023 and after taking stock of the situation announced the formation of a commission of inquiry. Shah’s visit to the violence-hit state was to take stock of the situation and hold talks with various stakeholders to restore a sense of peace in the state.

Amit Shah urged all communities and sections of society to maintain peace, discuss and promote harmony as well as surrender their weapons to the police. He also appealed to the people not to pay heed to rumors and maintain peace and harmony.

Internet services remained suspended and security forces deployed in Manipur following clashes between communities living in hill and plain districts. The violence apparently started after the demand for Scheduled Tribe reservation by the residents of the plains, who are mainly Meiteis and are in majority in numbers. Against those demands, a rally was organized by the All Tribal Students Union (ATSU) – mostly from the Kuki community. Manipur later turned violent and since then there have been dozens of incidents of violence and arson. Although curfew has been lifted in some districts.