New Chairperson Appointed for Manipur Violence Inquiry Commission

The Indian government has appointed Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan as the new Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into the violence in Manipur, following the resignation of Justice Ajai Lamba. The Commission, established to investigate the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, will examine the events leading to the unrest and assess the actions taken by authorities. With over 260 lives lost, the inquiry aims to address complaints and evaluate the adequacy of measures implemented to prevent such violence. Justice Chauhan will officially take charge on March 1, 2023.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 27, 2026, 09:34 IST

Appointment of Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan

New Delhi, Feb 27: The Indian government has appointed Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan, a former Supreme Court judge, as the new Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry tasked with investigating the recent violence in Manipur.

This decision follows the resignation of Justice Ajai Lamba, which will officially take effect on February 28, as per a government order released on Thursday.

Justice Chauhan is set to take over the Commission on March 1, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which published the order in the official gazette. The Commission was initially established on June 4, 2023, under the leadership of Justice Ajai Lamba, who previously served as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.

The Commission's investigation focuses on the events and circumstances surrounding the ethnic violence that erupted in the state.

Its inquiry will examine potential lapses or failures by responsible authorities or individuals. Additionally, it will evaluate the effectiveness of administrative actions taken to prevent and manage the violence and riots.

The Commission is also reviewing complaints or allegations submitted by individuals or organizations.

The ethnic violence in Manipur began on May 3, triggered by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in the hill districts, protesting against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This unrest has resulted in over 260 fatalities.

Prior to the violence, tensions had escalated due to the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserved forest areas, leading to a series of smaller protests.

The establishment of the Commission was recommended by the Manipur government, highlighting the need for an inquiry into this significant public issue.