Centre set-up Inquiry Commission to probe Manipur violence

The central government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an enquiry in the incidents of violence in Manipur.

The ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Sunday stating that Justice Ajai Lamba, former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Himanshu Shekhar Das, IAS (Retd) AM 1982 and Aloka PrabhakarIPS (Retd.) TL:1986 has been appointed as chairperson and members of the commission As per the notification, the commission 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 3 May 2023 and thereafter.

The sequence of events leading to, and all the facts relating to such violence, whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in this regard on the part of any of the responsible authorities/individuals: The adequacy of the administrative measures taken to prevent, and to deal with the said violence and riots: to consider such matters as may be found relevant in the course of inquiry.

The inquiry by the Commission shall also be in regard to instances relatable to above mentioned points which may be brought to its notice by the government of Manipur The inquiry shall also be in regard to 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.

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 any of the matters mentioned in paragraph 2 of the order The notification stated that the headquarters of the Commission shall be at Imphal.

The notification added that the Central Government is of the opinion that, having regard to the nature of the Inquiry to be made by the Commission and other circumstances of the case, all the provisions of sub-section (2)sub-section (3)sub-section (4) and sub-section (5) of section 5 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 ( 60 of 1952), should be made applicable to the Commission.

The Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (i)of the said section hereby directs that all the provisions of the said sub sections (2) (3)(4) and (5) of the section shall apply to the commission The government of Manipur recommended on 29 May, 2023 for institution of Judicial Inquiry Commission to look into the causes and associated factors of the crisis and the unfortunate incidents that happened on 3rd May, 2023 and afterwards under the provision of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952