New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered six cases in connection with and created a special investigation team (SIT) to probe ethnic violence in Manipur that has so far claimed nearly 100 lives.
The SIT under a DIG-rank officer has 10 CBI personnel, according to news agency ANI.
There was fresh violence in the state Friday with reports of three killed by suspected insurgents in the Khoken village, which lies between Kangpokpi and the Imphal West district.
According to police sources, the attackers were in Army fatigues, and drove vehicles that looked similar to those used by the military. They went to the village and fired on villagers, according to reports.
On 29 May, Union Home Minister Amit Shah began a four-day tour of the troubled state. He chaired a high-level meeting with Manipur chief Minister N. Biren Singh, his cabinet colleagues and other leaders. Over the next three days, he met members of the tribal Kuki and non-tribal Meitei communities who have been in an armed face-off since a 3 May rally.
The rally was organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to oppose the Metei’s demand for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Shah asked for 15 days of peace in the state so that he could form a committee to chalk out a permanent political solution for the tribals of Manipur who are demanding a separate administration.
Manipur is divided into the hill and valley areas. The hills comprise 90 per cent of the state’s total geographical area and are predominantly inhabited by Naga and Kuki-Chin-Mizo or Zo ethnic tribes. The valley areas are dominated by non-tribals or Meiteis.
During his meeting with tribal leaders, Shah promised a CBI probe and a judicial inquiry into this month’s violence. He also assured tribal leaders that there would be no interference of the state in the inquiry.
Also read: In Manipur, police armouries stand empty. Mobs stormed them, looted weapons, ‘rode off on scooters’