In a significant move and step towards bringing normalcy and give justice to people of Manipur, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has deployed a team of 53 officers to investigate the cases of violence in Manipur.

This team consists of 29 women officers, marking a unique mobilisation where a substantial number of women officers are simultaneously involved in the investigation.

In first of its kind mobilisation where such a large number of women officers have been simultaneously pressed into service.

The team includes three Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) - Lovely Katiyar, Nirmala Devi, and Mohit Gupta - along with Superintendent of Police Rajveer.

They will report to Joint Director Ghanshyam Upadhyay, who will supervise the overall probe.

The cases being investigated by the CBI may reportedly fall under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

These cases can be probed by officers holding the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

There are two Additional Superintendents of Police and six Deputy Superintendents of Police who are part of the 53-member team.

Due to the limitations on the role of Deputy Superintendents of Police as supervisory officers in such cases, the agency has sent three DIGs and one SP to supervise and monitor the investigations.

In addition, the team also includes 16 inspectors and 10 sub-inspectors.

When a large number of cases are handed over to the CBI, the agency usually relies on the respective state to provide additional manpower for the investigations.

However, in the case of Manipur, the central agency will attempt to minimise the involvement of local officers to avoid any allegations of bias in the investigation, PTI reported citing officials.

CBI has been probing eight FIRs, including the case of parading naked and alleged sexual assault on two women by a mob on May 4. Besides the eight FIRs, the agency has started probe into nine other cases routed to it through the Supreme Court, sources said.

Source: Swarjya and TimesofIndia