The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the deadline for the three-member Commission of Inquiry investigating the ethnic violence in Manipur, now requiring the panel to submit its report by November 20, 2025. This marks the fourth six-month extension granted to the commission since its establishment on June 3, 2023.

The commission, chaired by former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court Ajai Lamba, includes retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar. Initially, the panel was mandated to submit its findings within six months from its first sitting on June 4, 2023. However, the complexity and scale of the investigation have necessitated multiple extensions.

According to the latest notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the commission is tasked with probing the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities in Manipur since May 3, 2023. The inquiry will examine the sequence of events leading to the violence, any lapses or dereliction of duty by responsible authorities or individuals, and the adequacy of administrative measures taken to prevent and address the unrest. The commission is also authorized to consider complaints or allegations presented by individuals or associations.

The ethnic violence, which erupted in May 2023, has resulted in over 260 deaths and displaced thousands, particularly affecting the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo groups in the hill areas. The Manipur government had recommended the establishment of this judicial commission on May 29, 2023, under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, to investigate the underlying causes and factors contributing to the crisis.

The commission’s extended timeline underscores the government’s commitment to a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the tragic events that have profoundly impacted the state of Manipur.