The Commission of Inquiry on Manipur Violence appointed by the Central Government on Thursday notified that the time for filing statements or complaint/allegation by way of affidavit has been extended till January 24.
The time extension was made taking into account various circumstances, and in particular the public interest and the interest of fair inquiry by giving the opportunity to the maximum number of persons to file their statements, or complaint/ allegation by way of affidavit, stated a notice.
It said that the commission received a number of applications/requests for extension of time for filing statements or complaint/allegation by way of affidavit. Following which, the commission gave serious consideration to various factors reflected in the applications/requests seeking extension of time, it stated.
It said that the commission also considered, among other factors, that sporadic incidents of violence took place during the notice period which resulted in disruption of normal life and activity in parts of Manipur.
The modalities for executing affidavits have been provided in (REGULATION OF PROCEDURE) order 2021 of the Commission as notified on August 26, 2023, published on August 29, 2023 vide Notification No. H-1701/187/2023-HD-HD issued by the Government of Manipur, Home department in the Manipur Gazette: Extra Ordinary and available at its website, it mentioned.
The Central government appointed the commission under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 vide THE Notification dated June 4, 2023 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Gazette of India : Extra Ordinary (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Commission’) with Former Chief Justice, Gauhati High Court, Justice Ajai Lamba as its Chairperson and Himanshu Shekhar Das and Aloka Prabhakar as members, the notice stated.
It also mentioned the terms of reference of the commission which said that the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, which took place in the State of Manipur on May 3, 2023 and thereafter; the sequence of events leading to, and all the facts relating to such violence; whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in this regard on the part of any of the responsible authorities/individuals; the adequacy of the administrative measures taken to prevent, and to deal with the said violence and riots and to consider such matters as may be found relevant in the course of inquiry.
The inquiry by the commission is also in regard to complaints or allegations that may be made before the commission by any individual, or association, in such form and accompanied by such affidavits, as may be specified by the commission and such instances relatable to mentioned terms 1 and 5, as may be brought to its notice by the Government of Manipur, it mentioned.
It also added that the commission in exercise of powers conferred by Rule 5 (2)(b) of Commissions of Inquiry (Central) Rules, 1972, issued Notification dated November 20, 2023 vide Notification No 174 published by the Government of Manipur, Home Department in the Manipur Gazette, inviting all persons acquainted with the subject matter of the inquiry, to furnish to the commission, a statement relating to the said matters, and for making a complaint or allegation before the commission on affidavit within 45 days.
