JOIN USCBI, judicial commission to probe Manipur violence; Amit Shah warns militants
The Centre on Thursday announced a slew of measures including investigation by a CBI special team and a Judicial Inquiry Commission in order to restore peace and bridge distrust in Manipur, which has been in turmoil since May 3.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who was camping in Manipur since Monday evening, told reporters at Imphal on Thursday that the CBI team would take over six cases related to the riot while the Judicial Inquiry Commission headed by a retired High Court judge would probe into the genesis of the violence and identify those behind the possible conspiracy that pushed the Northeastern state into a turmoil.
Shah reached Manipur on Monday evening and held meetings with leaders of at least 22 Meitei and 25 Kuki organisations, 11 political parties and others, both in the Valley and in the Hills, as part of the Centre's efforts to restore peace. The Home Minister further announced that a peace committee headed by Manipur Governor, Anusuiya Uikey, meanwhile, will talk to all stakeholders to restore peace. "The peace committee will have representatives from the field of industry, sports, politics and others. They will visit various parts of the state and will continue to hold talks with all stakeholders for restoring peace," Shah said.
The Home Minister said that it was also decided to constitute an Inter-Agency Unified Command to be headed by Kuldip Singh, retired DG of CRPF, for better co-ordination among the security forces including the Army and Assam Rifles. Singh was rushed to Manipur on May 5 as the Centre's security adviser to the Manipur government.
The Manipur government on Thursday removed Director General of police, P Doungel, a Kuki, and appointed IPS officer Rajiv Singh as the new chief of the state police. Doungel was appointed as Officer on Special Duty (Home), a newly created post.
The riot involving the Meitei and Kuki community since May 3 have killed at least 75 persons and resulted in the displacement of over 35,000 others. Over 2,000 houses have been burnt down. The Army and other paramilitary forces, called in on May 3, controlled the riot but sporadic incidents of firing and house burning have remained a concern for nearly a month now. Incidents of firing and house burning were reported even during Shah's visit to the state.
"Peace came back to Manipur due to our hard work in the past six years and the process of development started. But violence broke out due misunderstanding over a judgement of the High Court," he said. Violence broke out on May 3 after a protest march organised by the tribals (mainly Kukis), opposing an order of Manipur High Court that asked the BJP government in the state to submit a proposal to the Centre for ST status to the majority Meitei community.
Relief and restoration
Shah said a special package for relief and rehabilitation will also be announced on Friday. An ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh (Rs. five lakh each from the Centre and Manipur government) will also be given to the kin of those killed in the ongoing violence. "A total of 30,000 metric tons of food grains has been allotted for the next two months and the distribution will soon start. LPG, petroleum products and other essential items are being sent to Manipur for uninterrupted supply of essential commodities," he said.
Warning to militants
Shah also warned that the Centre would be compelled to end the Suspension of Operation agreement with the Kuki insurgent groups if they violated the ground rules of such agreement.
Shah said biometrics of all people coming from neighbouring countries (mainly Myanmar) will be collected while the survey for fencing of the India-Myanmar border will be taken up. "We have already completed fencing of 10 km borders while a tender has been issued for fencing of another 80 km. Survey for such fencing in the remaining stretch will also be carried out soon," he said. Manipur shares about 400 km of border with Myanmar. "Illegal migration" from Myanmar has been a concern in the state, mainly by the Meiteis.