New Delhi: The Union government on Sunday (June 4) set up a three-member inquiry committee to look into the ongoing violence in Manipur.
According to The Times of India, the panel will be headed by former chief justice of the Gauhati high court Justice Ajai Lamba. It also comprises retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar.
A Union home ministry notification, according to PTI, said that the commission will probe the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities. The probe will look into the sequence of events leading up to the violence that began on May 3, and see whether there were any lapses on the parts of various authorities.
The notification stated that the commission will look into all claims and allegations made in front of it by individuals or associations.
The Union government has asked the commission to submit its report as soon as possible, and no later than six months from now. It has also stated that the commission may submit interim reports if it deems it fit.
Violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, after tensions escalated over the majority Meitei community’s demand for ST status. The hill tribes believe this will impinge on their rights.
Since then there has been a continuous breakdown of trust and ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Both communities have also expressed concern at the failure of law enforcement agencies to ensure peace.