Amit Shah announces Probe by retired Chief Justice
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 01 2023: Union Home Min-ister Amit Shah informed that the central government would constitute a commit-tee headed by retired Chief Justice of a High Court for investigation into circum-stances leading to outbreak of violence in the state.

He assured that the inves-tigations will be carried out without any bias and dis-crimination and the guilty will be punished.

Briefing the media at the Chief Minister's Secretariat here on Thursday around Ilain in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Direc-tor of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka, security advisor to Government of Manipur Kuldiep Singh and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, Amit Shah pointed out that Manipur witnessed development in various sectors in the last six years under the present government with prevalence of peace and prosperity.

The state had also witnessed bandh and blockade free in the last six years.

However, due to a judicial decision taken by the High Court of Manipur Ma hasty manner, misunderstanding cropped up among people of different communities, leading to the present situation, he said.

The home minister an-nounced that a retired Chief Justice of High Court will head the investigation, while a peace committee with the Governor as the chairperson would be constituted to re-store peace and normalcy.

The committee will comprise industrialists, sportspersons and members of civil society organisations among others.

Additionally, security advi-sor Kuldiep Singh will be in charge of an Inter-Agency Unified command for better coordination of all security forces in Manipur.

Stating that several cases have been registered in con-nection with the unfortunate incidents happened in the state, Shah informed that six cases would be probed by a special team of the CBI under the centre and also assured that there would be an impartial and fair probe.

Of the six, one is related to general conspiracy and five of criminal conspiracy.

In addition, to expedite resto-ration of peace and normalcy and oversee relief operations in the state, an officer of joint secretary level of MHA would be posted in the state ac-companied by another five officers of director level from different ministries.

The union home minister mentioned his extensive visits to assess the prevail-ing law and order situation and said the government is working to restore and reha-bilitate the affected citizens of the nation.

During his stay in the state, he met different sections of the society and visited Imphal, Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and discussed on how to bring back peace and normalcy in the state.

He also talked with several organisa-tions from either side, includ-ing 22 Meitei organisations, 25 Kuki organisations and other intellectuals in Manipur, in addition to meeting leaders of different political parties, Olympians andvisiting relief camps, the home minister elaborated.

He further announced relief and rehabilitation package for those who died in the violence.

The next of kin of those killed in the violence would be given Rs S lakh by the central government and Rs 5 lakh by Manipur govern-ment as compensation.

This amount will be transferred to the victims through the DBT system.

Relief and rehabilita-tion package for those injured and houses damaged will be discussed and the Ministry of Home Affairs will announce at a later date.

Eight medical teams consisting of teams with 20 specialist doctors in each team will be stationed at the violence hit areas of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh to ensure compat-ible medical facilities, he said, adding the facilities would be provided in imphal too, if required.

The union home minister further stated that in a week's time the Khongshang railway station will be made opera-tional for transportation of es-sential items.

He also said that 30,000 MT of rice (to be giv-en in two phases within two months) and other essential commodities have been sent and arrangements made for ensuring uninterrupted sup-ply of essential items including gas, petroleum products and vegetables to the state, while adding that around 15 petrol pumps would be opened day and night for the public.

Shah also informed that fa-cilities of helicopter services would be started in the three districts of Kangpokpi, Teng-noupal and Churanchandpur for transportation to airports with a fare of Rs 2000 per per-son.

The same will be used for interstate transport also, he said.

Regarding student welfare and those appearing compet-itive exams, Shah informed that an official team from the Ministry of Education is already in the state and will have discussions to provide uninterrupted education fa-cilities to students.

Online education and examination will be held asper plan.

He also highlighted that a reha-bilitation package and special provisions will be put in place to ensure that students do not fall back on exams and studies have been chalked out.

A final concrete plan will be made in two days to ensure that there is no disturbance to the edu-cation of children, he added.

Speaking on the Suspension of Operation (So0), the union home minister urged the mil-itant groups who are under So0 agreement to strictly ad-here to the ground rules of the agreement and maintained that stringent actions would be taken against those who violate the ground rules of the agreement.

He also appealed to those in possession of un-authorised weapons to sur-render the same to the nearest police stations, informing that combing operations would be conducted, starting from Fri-day onwards and strict actions will be taken, if weapons are found with anyone.

Regarding the porous bor-der between Myanmar and Manipur border, Shah stated that already 10km have been fenced while tender has been floated for 80 km.

Survey is being carried out for remain-ing areas.

He also said that biometrics and thumb im-pression for those entering Manipur from neighbouring countries will be collected.

Assuring that the territorial integrity of the state would not be compromised, the union home minister appealed to the public not to believe in rumours or any unfound-ed information which could escalate tension and added that a toll-free number had been opened to verify any in-formation.

He also appealed to civil society organisations operating across different parts of the state to take part in convincing the masses for restoration of peace in the state.

Stating that the border fencing work along the In-dia-Myanmar border with Manipur would be expedited to prevent cross border move-ment of militants and inimical elements, he said there are apprehensions that the porous border is being used for drug smuggling and for movement of militants.

He said biometrics of people coming from neighbouring countries are being collected.

Initiative would be taken to set up a circuit bench of the Manipur High Court in the tribal dominated Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi and Churachand-pur districts for speedy trial of cases, he announced.

Talks between the two communities have started and Manipur will soon go into the path of peace and develop-ment once again, Shah added.

He then expressed his deep-est condolences, on behalf of the Government of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and personally, for all those who lost their lives in the re-cent violence.

"It is natural for all of us to feel sad when a citizen of the country dies," said Amit Shah.

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