Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan Appointed Head of Manipur Violence Probe | 03 Mar 2026

Why in News?

The Government of India has appointed former SC Judge Balbir Singh Chauhan as the new chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry probing the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023.

Key Points:

• Appointment: The Centre has named Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan as the new chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the Manipur ethnic violence.
  • The appointment follows the resignation of retired Justice Ajai Lamba, former chief justice of the Gauhati High Court.
• Mandate: The Commission of Inquiry was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur in May 2023, examine its causes, the role of authorities and factors that allowed the conflict to escalate, and suggest measures to prevent recurrence.
• Focus Areas: Examines allegations of human rights violations, displacement, property damage, and communal tensions.
• Background: The ethnic clashes in Manipur, involving the majority Meitei community and tribal Kuki communities, resulted in numerous fatalities and displacement, prompting the establishment of the inquiry panel to ensure accountability and restoration of peace.
• Significance: The reconstitution of the inquiry panel reflects the Centre’s intention to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the investigation into one of India’s most serious instances of ethnic violence in recent years.