Inquiry Commission constituted to probe violence
Retd CJ Ajai Lamba to head panel
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2023: Days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the State to defuse tension, the Central Government has constituted a three member Inquiry Commission headed by a former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to probe the violent conflict between Meiteis and Kukis that first broke out on May 3 .

Constituted exactly 32 days after the first incidence of violence during ATSUM's Solidarity Rally, the three member Inquiry Commission will probe the causes and sequence of the events leading to the violence.

The State Government, on May 29, had recommended the institution of a Judicial Inquiry Commission to probe the violence.

The three member Inquiry Commission comprises Ajai Lamba, former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court as the Chairperson and retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar as Members.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the Commission shall submit its report to the Central Government within six months from the date of its first sitting.

According to the terms of reference set for the Commission, it shall make inquiry with respect to the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, which took place in the State of Manipur on May 3 and thereafter.

The Commission 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 on the part of any of the responsible authorities/individuals; the adequacy of the administrative measures taken to prevent, and to deal with the violence and riots and consider such matters as may be found relevant in the course of inquiry.

The Commission will also probe "complaints or allegations that may be made before the Commission by any individual or association, in such form and accompanied by such affidavits, as may be specified by the Commission," and relatable instances as may be brought to its notice by the Government of Manipur.

The headquarters of the Commission shall be at Imphal.

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 may, if it deems fit, make interim reports to the Central Government before the said date, the terms of reference of the Commission read.

It may be noted that violence first broke out during the Solidarity Rally organised by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) in all hill districts on May 3 .

While the rally in other districts ended peacefully, the rally took an ugly turn in Churachandpur district.

Video footage of the rally shared widely on Facebook and other social media sites saw some participants of the rally brandishing weapons that appeared to be AK-47 rifles.

Soon after, violent incidents of vandalising and burning Meitei houses at Torbung area, situated some kilometres away from Churachandpur district, emerged on Facebook and were widely shared fuelling a series of violent incidents.

The violent incidents then prompted the State Government to ban internet services.

Meanwhile, violence has not ceased in peripheral areas of the valley with SoO Kuki militants constantly attacking and killing villagers and burning hundreds of houses.

Houses in villages of both sides (Meitei and Kuki) have been burnt in the conflict rendering thousands of people homeless and to take shelter in relief camps.

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