The Supreme Court announced that it will assemble a group of three former high court judges, led by former J&K Chief Justice Gita Mittal, to supervise relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in conflict-torn Manipur.
Ex-Maharashtra DGP Dattatray Padsalgikar, who would routinely report to the SC, would be in charge of overseeing 42 state police SITs' supervision of other criminal matters, excluding the 12 heinous cases submitted to the CBI.
The SC also said it would depute police officers from other states to the CBI investigation team and to each of the state SITs. The ex-judges’ team includes Justices Shalini Phansalkar Joshi of Bombay HC and Asha Menon of Delhi HC.
A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the court's attempt at the outset is to restore citizenry's faith and confidence in the rule of law and investigations into the offences committed by miscreants.
Mob loots LMGs, mortars
A 500-strong mob attacked the armoury in Bishnupur, Manipur, looting 298 rifles, SLRs, and LMGs as well as mortars, grenades, and 16,000 or so rounds of various ammunition. Sentries at the 2nd India Reserve Battalion (IRB) headquarters attempted to disperse the mob by firing 327 rounds of ammunition and bursting 20 teargas shells.
Assam Rifles out of key point
The security establishment in the state ordered the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from a critical checkpoint at Moirang Lamkhai in Bishnupur district after hundreds of women activists took to the streets at several places, accusing the central paramilitary force of brutality towards civilians in the valley districts.
The additional DGP (law and order) issued an order stating that police and CRPF units would replace the 9 Assam Rifles with immediate effect at the checkpoint along Bishnupur-Kangvai Road.
6 killed in fresh attacks
Six people were killed and 16 wounded attacks and counterattacks between two groups in the state.
Security sources suspect the fresh wave of attacks was carried out by the miscreants who looted the armoury of the 2nd India Reserve Battalion HQ at Naranseina, in Bishnupur district, earlier.
on Thursday. Sources pointed out that grenades and the GF rifles required to lob them over longer distances are suspected to have been extensively used during the shelling, along with looted HE mortar bombs.All these weapons were looted from the armoury.