Manipur Violence: CBI Forms SIT Under DIG-Rank Officer To Probe Riots Cases

During his visit to Manipur, Amit Shah had announced a CBI probe to investigate six FIRs -- five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy -- behind the violence.

Security personnel during a combing operation in sensitive areas of Manipur. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formed a special investigation team to be headed by a DIG-rank officer to probe the Manipur riot cases, news agency PTI reported. 

During his visit to the crisis-hit northeastern state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced a CBI probe to investigate six FIRs -- five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy -- behind the violence in Manipur. Acting on a reference from the state routed through the Centre, the central agency registered six cases and formed the SIT comprising 10 personnel and took over the investigation in the cases, news agency ANI quoted an official as saying.

It is to be noted that violence broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 when people from the Meitei community and the Kuki tribe clashed with each other over the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Last week, the government formed a three-member inquiry commission to be headed by former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Justice Ajai Lamba to probe into the incidents of violence in the state. 

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to accord an urgent hearing on a plea by two Manipur residents against the repeated internet shutdowns in the state. A vacation bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal said the high court is already seized of a similar issue. "The HC is hearing the matter. What's the need to duplicate proceedings? Mention before the regular bench," it said.

The plea said the shutdown was "grossly disproportionate" in its interference with the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, and the right to carry on any trade or business using the constitutionally protected medium of the internet.

Advocate Shadan Farasat mentioned the matter before the bench seeking an urgent hearing. The top court was hearing a plea filed by Chongtham Victor Singh and Mayengbam James.

The Manipur government had on Tuesday extended the ban on internet services till June 10.