CBI takes charge of 27 Manipur ethnic clash cases

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed responsibility for investigating 27 First Information Reports (FIRs) related to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, a development that intensifies the agency’s role in a volatile situation. Since May, the northeastern state has been plagued by ethnic clashes resulting in over 160 deaths.
The CBI’s involvement was confirmed by sources familiar with the matter, revealing that the agency has re-registered the cases it took over from the state police. Of these, 19 are related to crimes against women, three involve looting of armouries, two are murder cases, and one case each pertains to rioting and murder, kidnapping, and general criminal conspiracy. Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, the agency has refrained from releasing specific details. A CBI task force consisting of 53 officers, including 29 women, has been assembled to accelerate the investigations.
This team, drawn from various federal units across the country, is one of the first of its kind in terms of the number of women officers simultaneously pressed into service. The team includes three Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) and one Superintendent of Police (SP) to ensure unbiased and effective oversight of the investigation.
As the ethnic tensions have polarised communities, the CBI faces the arduous task of maintaining impartiality.
Any perception of bias could aggravate the conflict, as Manipur society is deeply divided along ethnic lines. The investigations may also invoke the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, necessitating oversight by officers of Deputy Superintendent of Police rank or higher.
Due to the restrictions on deputy SPs supervising such sensitive cases, the CBI has deployed an SP-ranked officer for additional oversight. The team will report to a joint director overseeing the entire operation.