Tribal MLAs want panel to expedite probe into Manipur ethnic violence

Ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, demanding a separate administration or a Union Territory for tribals in Manipur, have urged the Centre to ask the judicial commission probing the ethnic violence in the state to expedite its probe. They demanded that chief minister N Biren Singh be "immediately barred" from the office so that he can't influence the "outcome" of the investigation.

The MLAs, including two ministers, said: "We once again appeal to the Government of India to expedite our demand for a separate administration in the form of UT with a legislature, as that alone is the path to lasting peace in the region." Last June, the MHA, had constituted a three-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by former chief justice Ajai Lamba, to probe ethnic violence in Manipur.

The tribal legislators, seven of whom belong to the ruling BJP, in a joint statement said that the judicial commission must expedite its investigation and identify the guilty. The statement said that the state government had to issue a press release on August 7 regarding some "doctored audio clips", which claimed to be that of the CM and meant to incite communal violence and derail various peace initiatives by the state and central governments at multiple levels.


At least 226 people have been killed,1,500 injured and 60,000 displaced since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year.