Home minister Amit Shah announced a judicial probe into the ethnic violence that has rocked Manipur for the past month, the creation of a unified command to oversee security in the state, a CBI inquiry into six specific incidents of violence and a peace committee under the governor for holding reconciliation talks between the warring Meitei and Kuki communities.
Addressing a press conference before he wrapped up his four-day visit to Manipur, Shah said the judicial inquiry headed by a retired high court judge will identify the reasons for the violence and those responsible for it.
He also anounced that a massive combing operation would be launched against insurgents found carrying weapons in violation of the ongoing suspension of operations (SOO). Shah’s statements coincided with a key change at the helm of Manipur police. The peace committee will have represenatatives of all communities and comprise industrialists, sports persons, politicians, public representatives, and members of various civil society groups in Manipur.
The unified command will work under the chairmanship of former CRPF DG and now security adviser to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh to ensure better synergy between various arms of the security establishment such as the state police, Army, Assam Rifles and central paramilitary forces.
While appealing to militant outfits that are part of the SOO in Manipur, Shah said they should surrender weapons to the police right away. He warned, “Anyone found with arms will face harsh action under all relevant legal provisions.”
Meanwhile, the Centre has constituted a three-member commission of inquiry headed by former Gauhati HC Chief Justice (retd) Ajai Lamba as chairperson to probe the ethnic clashes in Manipur since May 3 that have claimed more than 100 lives and left a trail of destruction.
Militants torch MLA’s house
The private residence of Congress MLA K Ranjit Singh was among a cluster of houses and shops set ablaze by suspected militants at Serou Bazar near Sugnu in Manipur’s Kakching district last week, keeping the flames of the ethnic conflict alive and creating new flash points for the security establishment to deal with.
Most of homes were deserted after the recent exodus to relief camps and the few areas untouched by Meitei-Kuki clashes. Legislator Ranjit wasn’t at home when the assailants struck.
Gunfights between suspected militants and security forces were also reported in parts of the western border of Imphal West district, including the Singda, Senjam Chirang and Phayeng neighbourhoods.
A delegation of MLAs, led by power minister Th Biswajit Singh, visited displaced people of Ando in Imphal East district at various relief camps and offered them material and monetary assistance.