Amit Shah on Manipur unrest: Retd Chief Justice level Judge to probe violence, stern message not to violate SoO pact

The Home Minister also sent out a strong message to all to return stolen arms

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said that a Judicial Commission headed by a retired Chief Justice level Judge will probe the incidents of violence that rocked Manipur since May 3. Concluding his 4-day visit to the strife-torn northeastern state, Shah said that a peace committee would be set up under Governor Anusuiya Uikey and security advisor Kuldeep Singh and members of civil society.

Six cases related to the violence will be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). “The probe will be conducted by CBI, under the guidance of the Centre. I assure everyone that the probe will be neutral and will go to the roots of the reasons behind the violence,” Home Minister Shah said addressing the media from Imphal.

HM Shah condoled and regretted the loss of lives in the recent violence that undoubtedly has left a deep scar in the hearts and minds of the people of the state.

Batting for peace and calm, Amit Shah sent out a strong message to the groups who are presently under the Suspension of Operations(SoO). Shah said in clear terms that violation of agreements under SoO will not be tolerated at any cost. He said, “I want to send a strong message to the SoO groups. Any violation of the agreement will be taken very seriously and it will be considered as serious violation. So kindly adhere to the agreement of SoO seriously. We will strictly monitor it from today.”
The Home Minister urged people to hand over arms which were snatched away from the forces on numerous occasions in the past one month. Shah said that the Manipur Police is soon going to begin combing operations to recover snatched weapons. The state government had earlier warned of legal action against those who do not voluntarily surrender the stolen weapons.

Shah also appealed the Civil Society Organisations (CSO)s to work for peace and maintained that the Centre is committed to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur amid demands of separate administration by certain groups.

The Union Home Minister pointed out that dialogue is the only way to restore peace. He further informed that peace committees would be set up under the guidance of the Manipur Governor.

Giving an update about the series of meetings he had in the past 3 days, the Union Home Minister said CSOs have assured him that they would work for eliminating misunderstandings. Shah said, “I visited the temporary camps, I spoke to the citizens’ representatives in Imphal, Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and also tried to speak to the people who have been injured. I spoke to the ministers, women organisations and met at least 22 Meitei CSOs, and over 25 Kuki CSOs during the visit. I spoke to intellectuals, professors and others too for discussing ways to bring peace. I also spoke to representatives of 11 political parties, Olympians as well as other athletes from the state”.

Some of the key decisions as announced by the Union Home Minister includes:
• Peace committee under Governor with representatives from political parties, players, industrialists and CSO representatives
• Security advisor Kuldiep Singh will head an inter-agency unified command effective today for better co-ordination with different agencies already engaged in peacekeeping.
• Special CBI team will probe 6 cases registered in connection with the recent incidents of violence under the supervision of the Centre.
• Relief and rehab package already readied. Those who lost their lives will be given Rs 10 lakh through Direct Benefit Transfer. Separate relief and rehab package for those injured and those whose properties were damaged.
• 30,000 MT rice already sent to Manipur. Gas, petrol, medicines and vegetables are on way to Manipur. Camps will be set for distribution
• Temporary platform to be constructed at Khongjem which will connect Manipur to rest of India
• 8 medical teams will work in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi and if there is any crisis in Imphal, doctors will be sent from Assam.

Also Read: Manipur: HM Amit Shah’s visit evokes hopes of peace and harmony, state fast moving towards normalcy

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