The central government has extended the term of the commission investigating the Manipur ethnic violence until May 20, 2026. This marks the fifth extension for the inquiry, which is tasked with probing the causes and spread of the violence that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initially established the three-member judicial inquiry commission on June 4, 2023, to investigate the violence in Manipur. The commission is headed by former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, Ajai Lamba, and includes retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar. The panel was initially required to submit its report within six months of its first sitting. However, due to the complexity and scale of the investigation, the commission has received multiple extensions.

The commission is responsible for inquiring into the causes and spread of the violence and riots that have occurred in Manipur since May 3, 2023, targeting members of different communities. It is also tasked with examining the sequence of events leading to the violence, identifying any lapses or dereliction of duty by responsible authorities or individuals, and assessing the adequacy of administrative measures taken to prevent and address the unrest. The commission is authorized to consider complaints and allegations presented by individuals or associations.

The terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry include probing the sequence of events leading to the violence, all facts relating to such violence, whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty by authorities or individuals, and the adequacy of administrative measures taken to prevent and deal with the violence and riots.

The violence in Manipur has resulted in over 260 deaths and has displaced thousands of people. The ethnic clashes primarily involve the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo groups, who are the majority in the hill areas. The Manipur government recommended the establishment of the judicial inquiry commission on May 29, 2023, under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, to investigate the causes and associated factors of the crisis.

The extension of the commission's term reflects the government's commitment to a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the events in Manipur. The commission is expected to submit its report to the central government as soon as possible, but no later than May 20, 2026.