Manipur Violence Inquiry Panel Concludes Three-Day Field Visit

Imphal: The commission investigating the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence completed a three-day assessment tour of the state from May 29 to 31. Led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice B.S. Chauhan, the three-member panel aims to gather direct accounts of the conflict to inform its ongoing inquiry.

During the visit, the commission members held discussions with local officials, including Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, to outline the goals of their mission. The panel, which also features retired official Himanshu Sekhar Das and retired officer Aloka Prabhakar, toured relief camps across Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Imphal West, and Imphal East districts.

At the Torbung Prefabricated Relief Camp in Churachandpur, investigators recorded testimonies from displaced families. Residents shared their personal struggles, living conditions, and specific grievances, providing the panel with a clearer understanding of the humanitarian toll caused by the regional unrest.

The Centre established the inquiry commission in June 2023. Justice Chauhan took over as chairperson in March 2026 after the resignation of Justice Ajai Lamba. Having received six extensions from the government, the panel is currently mandated to file its final report by November 20, 2026.