A panel led by a retired judge will probe the ethnic violence in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said while addressing a press conference. He also said six cases related to the violence will be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Announcing other measures, Amit Shah said that a peace committee under the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, which will have representatives of all political parties, besides representatives from both Kuki and Meitei communities and social organisations will be set up. "Dialogue is the only solution to the ongoing crisis in Manipur," Shah said.
"We will soon announce a judicial probe headed by a retired high court chief justice and set up a peace committee," he said.
Other measures
The Home Minister announced that a CBI probe will be instituted to probe five criminal conspiracies and one 'general conspiracy' behind the violence in Manipur. He however also said, "Violence was a temporary phase, misunderstandings will go away ... the situation will be soon be normal."
A relief and rehabilitation has been prepared for those affected by the conflict, with both the Centre and the state chipping in Rs 5 lakh each for the kin of those who lost their lives in the violence, Amit Shah further said. The Governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society, he added.
Fresh violence erupted on Thursday with three police personnel being injured in a gunfight with suspected Kuki militants in Manipur's Bishnupur district, officials said. The gunfight took place at Tangjeng under the Kumbi police station on Wednesday night, they said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a four-day visit to the state to interact with concerned stakeholders to redress the violent incidents. On Wednesday, he said that the government is committed to restore peace in Manipur and ensuring an early return of all internally displaced people back to their homes.
Meeting victims from both Meitei and Kuki communities in relief camps in the state, he assured them of security and said the government's focus is to ensure their safe return home.
(With inputs from PTI)
