The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now in charge of investigating 27 cases related to the ethnic confrontations in Manipur. These incidents have led to over 160 deaths in the span of four months. The CBI has taken up these cases, which include crimes against women, theft of weapons by mobs, murders, riots, kidnappings, and criminal conspiracies.
Due to the sensitive nature of the situation in Manipur, the CBI has not revealed many details about the cases. However, sources say that CBI teams are actively questioning both suspects and victims and visiting the crime scenes.
The investigation gained momentum when the CBI’s senior leaders deployed a specialized team of 53 officers, including 29 women, from different units across the country to look into these cases.
Another group of 30 officers has been sent to Manipur to conduct investigations, increasing the manpower dedicated to solving these violent cases. Around 100 CBI officials are currently working on these 27 cases. The CBI faces the challenge of remaining impartial due to the divided nature of Manipuri society along ethnic lines.
The Supreme Court has already transferred the jurisdiction of these CBI cases to Assam. In some of these cases, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act may be invoked, requiring the involvement of a Deputy Superintendent of Police for investigation.
To supervise these cases, the CBI has assigned a Superintendent of Police (SP) and three Deputy Inspector Generals. They are guided by a Joint Director overseeing the overall investigation.
This mobilization is unique as it involves a significant number of female officers deployed at the same time. The ethnic turmoil in Manipur began on May 3 with a protest called the “Tribal Solidarity March” against the demand for Scheduled Tribe status from the Meitei community by tribals from the hill districts, including Nagas and Kukis, who make up 40% of Manipur’s population.
