Tribal safety concerns leads to many ‘zero’ FIRs in Manipur

Almost a third of the 5,960 cases of arson and violence registered in Manipur over the past 56 days were filed by police irrespective of jurisdiction, according to data available with The Hindu. On average, more than 100 cases were filed every day.

Almost a third of the 5,960 cases of arson and violence registered in Manipur over the past 56 days were filed by police irrespective of jurisdiction, according to data available with The Hindu. On average, more than 100 cases were filed every day.

Out of the total such cases, 1,771 cases or nearly 30% First Information Reports (FIRs) were ‘zero FIRs’, filed suo-motu by the police irrespective of jurisdiction.

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Of these, 2,226 FIRs have been filed since June 3, after the visit of Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the violence-hit State between May 29 and June 1. As many as 71 cases were registered after the all-party meeting chaired by Mr. Shah in Delhi on June 24.

The FIRs are not restricted to arson and violence but also include dacoity, murder, looting of weapons and other criminal cases, an official said.

In Imphal West, there were 1516 FIRs registered from May 3-June 28, out of which 220 were zero FIRs .

Imphal East recorded 723 FIRs including 35 zero FIRs, Bishnupur district saw 1318 FIRs including 543 zero FIRs, Kakching had 234 FIRs which includes 59 zero FIRs, Thoubal had 395 cases with 245 zero FIRs, Churachandpur 637 cases with 56 zero FIRs; and Kangpokpi had 1115 FIRs including 611 zero FIRs, while Tengnoupal had witnessed 11 FIRs. Manipur has a total of 16 districts; two FIRs each were registered in Pherzawl, Senapati, Tamenglong and Noney districts while one case was registered in Kamjong.