Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Thursday that the Central government has established a committee to investigate the incidents of violence in Manipur, which have resulted in loss of lives and property damage. The committee will be headed by a retired judge of the rank of chief justice of a high court. In addition, a special team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will be assigned to investigate the cases of violence in the state.
During a press conference held at the conclusion of his four-day visit to Manipur, Shah assured the people that the investigations would be conducted impartially and without any discrimination. He emphasized that those found guilty would face appropriate punishment. The Union Minister also mentioned that a peace committee, led by the Governor of Manipur and comprising members of civil society, would be formed to work towards restoring peace in the state.
Shah stated that the probe panel would delve into the causes of the violence and identify the individuals responsible for it. He highlighted the involvement of multiple agencies in investigating the violent incidents and specifically mentioned a high-level CBI investigation into six incidents that indicate a potential conspiracy. The combing operation in the affected areas of Manipur is set to commence the following day.
The Union Home Minister urged the citizens of Manipur to disregard fake news and affirmed that strict actions would be taken against anyone violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. He called upon individuals possessing weapons to surrender them to the police, cautioning that severe consequences awaited those found with weapons during the upcoming combing operations.
Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted education for students in Manipur. He mentioned that education officials would be dispatched to the state to discuss and implement plans for online education and examinations. The Home Minister also announced the provision of a rehabilitation package and special measures to support the academic progress of students affected by the violence.
Expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, Amit Shah declared that the central government would provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh, in addition to the Rs 5 lakh compensation from the Manipur government, to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the recent violence. The funds would be transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The Home Minister assured that special medical officers would be deployed to ensure adequate healthcare services in the violence-affected areas.
During his visit, Shah toured various parts of Manipur, including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur, where he met with representatives from the Meitei and Kuki communities. He acknowledged the recent violent incidents in Manipur and expressed his condolences to the affected families. Shah also highlighted the achievements of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state over the past six years, emphasizing the focus on peace and prosperity.
The violence in Manipur erupted on May 3 during a rally organized by the All Tribal Students Union (ATSU) in opposition to the demand for including the Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The rally was held in response to an April 19 directive from the Manipur High Court regarding the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST category.
