NEW DELHI, May 20: The Union government has granted another extension to the three-member Commission of Inquiry probing the series of violent incidents that occurred in Manipur since May 3, 2023. A notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday stated that the commission now has time until November 20, 2025, to submit its final report.

The Commission of Inquiry was constituted on June 3, 2023, following a recommendation by the Government of Manipur on May 29, 2023. It was tasked with investigating the causes and spread of the violence and riots that targeted members of various communities across the state. The panel is headed by Justice Ajai Lamba, former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and includes retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar.

Initially, the commission was to submit its report within six months from the date of its first sitting, which was held on June 4, 2023. However, with the previous deadline ending on May 20, 2025, this latest notification confirms that the government has now allowed the commission additional time up to November 20, 2025, to complete its inquiry.

This is the fourth six-month extension granted to the panel since its formation. The terms of reference for the commission include probing the sequence of events that led to the violence, all related facts, potential lapses or dereliction of duty by authorities or individuals, and the adequacy of the administrative response. The commission is also mandated to look into any complaints or allegations submitted by individuals or associations concerning the incidents.

The extension reflects the ongoing complexity of the situation and the government’s commitment to a comprehensive investigation into the crisis that unfolded in Manipur.