A month after the ethnic violence engulfed Manipur leading to loss of several lives and properties, the Union Home Ministry has formed a three-member commission headed by former Guwahati High Court Chief Justice Ajai Lamba, to probe the violence. The other two members are retired IAS, Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS, Aloka Prabhakar.
According to the notification of the Union Home Ministry, large-scale violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 and as a result of which, many residents of Manipur lost their lives and several others were seriously injured, their houses and properties burned down as a result of arson and many of them rendered homeless.
On May 29, the Manipur governemnt recommended institution of judicial inquiry commission to look into the cause and associated factors of the crisis and the unfortunate incidents that happened on May 3 and in the aftermath, under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
On the recommendation of the state government, the central government is of the opinion that it is necessary to appear on a commission of inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, namely, incidents of violence in Manipur.
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), the central government appointed three members.
The scope of the inquiry extends beyond the specified matters. The Commission will also consider complaints or allegations made by individuals or associations, accompanied by relevant affidavits, as well as instances related to the Terms of Reference brought to its attention by the government of Manipur.
According to the notification, the terms to be followed by the commission were also given that the commission should enquire about the cause and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, which took place in the state on May 3.
Thereafter, the sequence of events leading to and all the facts relating to such violence. The commission should enquire whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in regards on the part of any of the responsible authority’s individuals; the adequacy of the administrative measures taken to prevent and to deal with the violence and riots and to consider such matters as may be found relevant in the course of inquiry, the ministry stated.
The commission should also inquire on 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 should submit its report to the central government as soon as possible but not later than six months from the date of its first sitting. However, it may provide interim reports on any pertinent matters before the stipulated deadline.
The headquarters of the commission will be at Imphal, acknowledging the significance of the location to the investigation.
“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)-(3)-(4)-(5) of section of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), should be made applicable to the commission,” the notification stated.
Related: Thirty days, and violence continues in strife-torn Manipur; more houses burned
