Manipur probe panel gets another extension
The three-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2023 to probe the Manipur ethnic violence has received another extension and has been asked to submit its report to the Central Government as soon as possible, but not later than November 20. This is the third extension to the commission, which was notified on June 4, 2023.
The CoI has received around 11,000 affidavits and is in the middle of collecting evidence. The last date to submit the affidavits was January 24.
A senior government official, however, said the CoI would accept fresh affidavits if someone presented to it.
'In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs number S.O. 2424 (E), dated June 4, 2023… The commission shall submit its report to the Central Government as soon as possible but not later than November 20, 2025,' the notification said.
The ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo-Hmar people and the Meitei people that erupted in the State on May 3, 2023, has claimed around 250 lives so far. Thousands of properties were burnt down, and more than 60,000 people were displaced from their homes.
President's Rule was imposed in the State on February 13.
The CoI headed by Ajai Lamba, former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, is expected to probe the causes, extent of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, the sequence of events and whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in this regard on the part of any of the responsible authorities and individuals.
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