New Chairperson Appointed for Manipur Violence Inquiry Following Resignation

The inquiry into the Manipur violence has undergone a significant leadership change as former Chief Justice Ajai Lamba resigns. Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan has been appointed as the new chairperson of the commission. The commission, tasked with investigating the ethnic clashes that erupted in May 2023, has faced challenges, including a rising death toll and thousands displaced. The inquiry's objectives include understanding the causes of the violence and assessing the response of authorities. With a report due by May 20, the commission's work is crucial in addressing the unrest in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 20:59 IST

Change in Leadership of Manipur Inquiry Commission

Ajai Lamba, the former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, has stepped down from his role as chairperson of the commission investigating the violence in Manipur, as confirmed by a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday.

In his place, the Union government has appointed Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan, a retired Supreme Court judge, to take over the chairmanship starting Saturday, according to the announcement.

Violence erupted in May 2023 due to ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities, resulting in over 260 fatalities and displacing more than 59,000 individuals. The situation saw periodic escalations in violence through 2024 and 2025.

Lamba was designated to lead the inquiry panel on June 3, 2023, but the reasons for his resignation have not been disclosed.

The notification from the home ministry indicated that the commission's terms of reference and other operational conditions will remain unchanged.

Himanshu Shekhar Das, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer, and Aloka Prabhakar, a former Indian Police Service officer, will continue to serve as members of the commission, which is based in Imphal.

The commission's objectives include examining the "causes and spread" of the violence, detailing the events leading to the clashes, and investigating any failures or negligence by officials. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of the administrative responses to the unrest, as reported by a local media outlet.

The commission is expected to present its findings by May 20. Initially, it was allotted six months from its first meeting to conclude the investigation, but this deadline has been extended three times.