In order to look into cases involving ethnic violence in Manipur, which claimed close to 100 lives, the Central Bureau of Investigation has re-registered six First Information Reports (FIR) and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a DIG-rank officer.
There are 10 officers on the SIT.
During his visit to the northeastern state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a CBI investigation to look into six FIRs — five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy. According to authorities speaking to the news agency PTI, the CBI created the SIT and took over the case investigation after receiving a referral from the state through the Centre.
Shah visited Manipur for four days in order to assess the state’s security condition and reconcile the warring Kukis and Meiteis in order to end the unrest that has plagued Manipur since May 3.
Shah conducted private meetings with intellectuals, tribe members, and leaders of the Zo-Kuki civil society organizations in Churachandpur, one of the hardest-impacted regions. His first round of discussions, which lasted about an hour, was with the heads of civil society organizations, student organizations, women’s organizations, and tribal leaders.
Shah is said to have provided additional assurances in addition to an impartial investigation, such as that certain cases would be handled by the CBI without the involvement of state officials, that compensation for losses in life and property would be paid directly to the affected parties, that relief supplies would be provided to the state, and that helplines would be established in Churachandpur and Imphal.
98 people have died as a result of the violence that has enveloped Manipur. According to a statement made public by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), there were 310 reported injuries and 4, 014 cases of arson. Up to 144 stolen weapons and 11 magazines have been found. According to the report, among the recovered weapons are 29 Self-Loading Rifles (SLR), 15 carbines, 12 INSAS rifles, and 10 grenade launchers.
As many as 3,734 FIRs have reportedly been filed, with Imphal West district recording the most (1,257), followed by Kangpokpi (932) and Bishnupur (844).
