CBI constitutes 10-member SIT to probe Manipur violence

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has constituted a 10-member special investigation team (SIT) headed by a DIG-rank officer to investigate six cases of violence in Manipur.

The agency has registered six first information reports (FIRs), referred to it by the state government, according to people in the know. During his recent visit to Manipur, home minister Amit Shah had said the CBI would probe six FIRs--five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy behind the violence in the state.

The six FIRs have been registered on the reference of the home ministry received from the north eastern state.


In a statement issued on Friday, the agency said the probe will "unearth criminal conspiracy" behind the incidents.

Besides an independent probe, Shah, during his visit to Manipur, reportedly gave several other assurances, including, selected cases to be taken up by the CBI without the involvement of state officers; rehabilitation for loss of life and property to be transferred via direct benefit, and relief material to the state.

Clashes broke out in the state after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Nearly 100 people have been killed, more than 300 injured and 40,000 displaced since violence broke out between tribal Kukis and the Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley, over a month ago.

The violence was triggered during a protest against a court order for granting scheduled tribe status to Meities. The government authorities later imposed a curfew and banned the internet.

According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), as many as 3,734 FIRs have been registered, the maximum being in Imphal West district (1,257), followed by Kangpokpi (932) and Bishnupur (844).

The statement said that as many as 144 stolen arms have been recovered along with 11 magazines.