Manipur violence: CBI deputes 53 officers to probe cases related to ethnic clashes in state

Manipur violence:  CBI has deputed 53 officers including two women DIG-rank officers to probe the Manipur violence cases, sources said.

According to the officials, there are two women DIG-rank officers, one male DIG-rank officer, and one SP-rank officer.

So far, the central agency has registered eight cases, two of which are suspected sexual assaults on women in the northeastern state. According to the sources, the process of taking over more cases is now underway.

According to a top official, due to the gravity of the cases, senior officers have been deputed in the cases. Women cops will handle cases involving crime against women because it is a mandatory requirement.

On May 3, clashes erupted between the Metei and Kuki groups, just days after the Manipur High Court instructed the state administration to consider adding the former, the state's majority population, to the list of Scheduled Tribes. Around 160 persons have been killed in the ethnic violence.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day that the Centre and the State government are working hard to ensure that peace returns to the state as soon as possible.

"The whole country stands with the people of Manipur. Peace is the only way to resolve all disputes. The Centre and the Manipur government are making every effort to ensure that peace returns to the state at the earliest," PM Modi added.