Manipur has suffered from ethnic clashes since early May.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered six First Information Reports (FIRs) and formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged conspiracy behind the ethnic clashes in Manipur. The violence, which erupted between the northeastern state's Kuki and Meitei communities early last month, has claimed more than 100 lives and displaced over 35,000 people.
The six cases selected by the Manipur government for the CBI's investigation include a common conspiracy case to ascertain whether the ethnic violence was pre-planned. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officer.
This comes out of more than 3,700 FIRs registered in the state since the violence erupted. The largest number of cases were filed in the Imphal West district, followed by Kangpokpi and Bishnupur.
The decision to involve the CBI came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur last week. During his visit, Mr Shah had pledged a thorough CBI probe into the matter.
Violence erupted in Manipur following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organized on May 3 in the hill districts. The march was a response to the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
In addition to the CBI probe, a three-member Commission of Inquiry has also been established by the Centre to investigate the incidents of violence.
Headed by the former chief justice of the Gauhati High Court, Ajai Lamba, the commission will delve into the causes and spread of the violence, any possible derelictions of duty by authorities, and the adequacy of administrative measures taken to prevent and deal with the violence.
The commission has been instructed to submit its report within six months. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also sanctioned a rehabilitation package of Rs 101.75 crore for the state. Around 10,000 Army and Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed in the state to restore peace.