The central government has once again extended the deadline for the commission investigating the deadly ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023. The panel now has until May 20, 2026, to submit its final report to the Union government.
Fifth Extension for the Probe Panel
This marks the fifth extension granted to the commission in the past 30 months. A formal gazette notification issued by the Union Home Ministry on Tuesday officially set the new deadline. The directive states that the commission must present its findings as soon as possible, but no later than the specified date in May 2026.
Scope and Formation of the Commission
The Commission of Inquiry was originally constituted on June 4, 2023. Its mandate is to conduct a thorough investigation into the sequence of events that triggered widespread unrest in Manipur starting May 3, 2023. The panel is tasked with uncovering the causes and examining the full scale of the violence and riots that affected various communities in the state.
The commission is headed by Justice (Retd) Ajai Lamba, the former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. The other members are retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and former IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar.
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
The repeated extensions highlight the complexity and sensitivity of the investigation. The commission has been working to piece together the events that led to a prolonged cycle of conflict and displacement. The new deadline of May 2026 provides the panel with additional time to complete its extensive inquiry and deliver a comprehensive report.
The central government's move underscores the ongoing effort to achieve a detailed and conclusive understanding of the Manipur violence, which remains a critical issue for the region's stability and reconciliation process.
