Former Gauhati HC Chief Justice to head inquiry into Manipur violence

The commission must submit its report to the central government not less than 6 months from the date of its first sitting, an order issued by the MHA stated.

The order said the commission shall investigate into a series of events including the causes and spread of violence and riots targeting different communities on May 3 and thereafter. The commission will also probe whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty on the part of state authorities.

The death toll from the violence has risen to 99 after a man who was injured in a gunfight in Phayeng village on June 2, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

While it has been a month since violence erupted in the state, there have been sporadic incidents of gunfight between armed groups from the valley and hills. Sugnu witnessed violence on a large scale including the burning of houses and firing incidents on May 28.

On Sunday, heavy exchange of firing between groups from valley and hills erupted in Sungu area of Kakching district. At least one person from the valley has been injured. Local sources said as many as 8 persons, four each from both sides, have been killed in the incident. The bodies have been handed over to leaders of both sides, informed a local of Sugnu.

The fresh shootout on Sunday has been the most intense since May 28, said Nanao, a resident of Sugnu bazaar. He said locals have received information that the house of a Congress MLA was also partially burnt at Serou bazaar. However, there is no official confirmation, he said.

The firing started after midnight at Sugnu Mamang Leikai, police said. It has been reported that firing is still ongoing till the time of filing this report.

A person who went missing on May 28 has been rescued by the Manipur police commandos. The rescued person, who received a bullet injury, has been evacuated to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

A Chanthoi, a woman leader of Sugnu, accused the Kukis of the prevailing violence in the area by breaching a peace committee pact.

“When rest of the state was burning, Sugnu was the only place where both Kukis and Meitei were living peacefully. This was possible because a peace committee was formed and both sides agreed to restrain themselves from violence until suspected Kuki militants attack villages in our area on May 28,” said Chanthoi.

She urged the authority concerned to flush out the militants. A shootout was also reported in Phayeng, Senjam Chirang on Sunday.

Against this backdrop, curfew has been relaxed for 12 hours in the valley and 10 hours and 07 hours in the neighboring hill districts. During the last 24 hours, 23 arms have been recovered. This makes a total of 202 arms, 252 Ammunition and 92 Bombs of all kinds recovered after the visit of Union Minister Amit Shah. A total of 789 arms and 10648 ammunition have been recovered till date.