The central government has granted a seventh extension to the commission of inquiry established to investigate the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023. According to a government notification, the panel has been directed to submit its report no later than May 20, 2027.
The commission, which currently consists of three members, is headed by former Supreme Court judge Balbir Singh Chauhan. Justice Chauhan assumed leadership of the inquiry on March 1, following the resignation of the panel's initial head, former Gauhati High Court chief justice Ajai Lamba, on February 28.
The panel was originally constituted on June 4, 2023, in the aftermath of the ethnic conflict that broke out on May 3 of that year. While the Hindustan Times reports the violence claimed more than 260 lives, the Times of India states that the clashes resulted in over 300 deaths and displaced thousands of people, further deepening the divide between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
The commission's mandate involves a comprehensive investigation into the sequence of events and the specific causes behind the unrest. It is tasked with evaluating whether there were any instances of negligence or lapses by officials, and whether the administrative measures deployed to prevent and contain the violence were sufficient.
Key facts
- The commission was originally formed on June 4, 2023, following ethnic violence that began on May 3, 2023.
- This marks the seventh extension granted to the panel by the central government.
- The inquiry is now led by former Supreme Court judge Balbir Singh Chauhan, who took charge on March 1.
- The panel is required to submit its report to the Centre by May 20, 2027.
- Initial deadlines for the probe were set for November 2023 under a September 2023 notification.
Background
The inquiry was established to analyze the factors contributing to the widespread violence, which targeted members of different communities and resulted in significant loss of life and mass displacement across the northeastern state.
Source: Hindustan Times, Times of India
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