New Delhi
Seeking to restore peace at the earliest in strife-torn Manipur, the Union Home Ministry on Sunday formed a three-member Commission of Inquiry led by former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Ajai Lamba to probe into the ethnic violence in the northeastern State that has claimed nearly 100 lives. The other two members of the panel are retired IAS Himanshu Shekhar Das and IPS Aloka Prabhakar.
The Commission will make inquiry with respect of the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, which took place in Manipur on May 3 and thereafter, the notification issued by the Union Home Ministry stated. The headquarters of the Commission will be in Imphal.
It will probe the sequence of events leading to, and all the facts relating to such violence; whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in this regard on the part of any of the responsible authorities/individuals and adequacy of the administrative measures taken to prevent, and to deal with the Manipur violence and riots.
“The inquiry by the Commission shall look into the complaints or allegations that may be made before it by any individual or association. The commission shall submit its report to the central government as soon as possible but not later than six months from the date of its first sitting. The Commission, however, if it deems fit, can make interim reports to the central government before the said date,” the notification further maintained.
The notification said the government of Manipur recommended on May 29 for the institution of a judicial inquiry commission to look into the causes and associated factors of the crisis and the unfortunate incidents happened on May 3 and afterwards under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
On the recommendation of the government of Manipur, the Central government is of the opinion that it is necessary to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, namely, incidents of violence in Manipur.
For his part, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the locals to lift the blockades on the Imphal-Dimapur national highway. “My sincerest appeal to the people of Manipur is to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, NH-2 Highway, so that food, medicines, Petrol/Diesel, and other necessary items can reach the people,” Shah tweeted.
A peace committee, led by Governor Anusuiya Uikey and comprising stakeholders like industrialists, sportspersons, elected representatives, and both Kuki and Meitei members will also be constituted, as per the Government. The peace committee will include representatives of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Manipur has been severely affected by ethnic violence since May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status following an order by the High Court.
Meanwhile, the Government has transferred Manipur DGP P Doungel to the post of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) (Home). Rajiv Singh, a Tripura cadre IPS officer posted as IG, CRPF, in Tripura, has been appointed as the new Manipur DGP on inter-cadre deputation.
Shah has also announced a CBI probe to investigate six cases, including five identified cases from all registered cases and one case of general conspiracy.
Shah has already announced a relief and rehabilitation package of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of those killed, with both the state and central governments contributing equal amounts.
To ensure that there is no shortage of essential goods, 30,000 metric tonnes more than the fixed quota of rice has been sent by the Union government, to be distributed over two months. Petrol, vegetables and other essential items are also being dispatched to meet the day-to-day requirements of the violence-hit locals.
