IT News
Imphal, Sept 14:
The Centre has granted an extension to the three-member Commission of Inquiry investigating the violence in Manipur, giving it time until November 20, 2024, to submit its findings. The commission, headed by former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court Ajai Lamba, was initially formed on June 3, 2023, and tasked with probing the causes and spread of the ethnic violence that began on May 3, 2023.
Other members of the panel include retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar. The commission’s mandate is to investigate the sequence of events, assess any lapses by authorities, and determine the adequacy of administrative measures taken during the unrest, which has claimed over 220 lives and displaced thousands.
The commission was originally required to submit its report within six months, but the deadline has been extended due to the ongoing complexities of the investigation. According to the Union Home Ministry’s latest notification, the commission must now present its report by November 20, 2024.
The ethnic violence in Manipur was triggered by a “Tribal Solidarity March” protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The resulting clashes between the Meiteis of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribes from the surrounding hill areas have led to widespread loss of life, destruction of property, and displacement of residents.
The inquiry will examine the events leading up to the violence, any potential negligence by authorities, and address complaints brought by individuals or associations affected by the unrest.
