The CBI has formed a 10-member special investigation team (SIT) under a DIG-rank officer to probe six cases related to the Manipur violence referred to it by the state government, officials said on Friday.

During his visit to the northeastern state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a CBI probe into six FIRs — five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy behind the violence in Manipur.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had dispatched Joint Director Ghanshyam Upadhyay to coordinate with the state officials and upon his return, the SIT was constituted. The Special Crime Branch, Kolkata will probe the cases, the officials said.

“The CBI has today registered six cases transferred by the state of Manipur pertaining to large-scale violence leading to destruction and looting of the properties arson, looting/snatching of arms/ammunition and loss of human lives, etc. in various districts of the state,” an agency spokesperson said.

He said the SIT has been constituted for a “thorough probe” in the cases and to unearth the criminal conspiracy behind the unfortunate incidents.

Meanwhile, three people were killed and two others were injured in a village in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Friday when a group of insurgents dressed as security personnel called them out of their homes on the pretext of a combing operation and fired at them, officials said.

The incident took place in Khoken village on the border of Kangpoki and Imphal West districts.

The insurgents are believed to be from the Meitei community, the officials said.

Security forces on a routine patrol of the village stepped in when they heard the sound of gunfire.

Insurgents fled the area but not before shooting down three villagers, the officials said.

The bodies were recovered by Assam Rifles.

Later, a combined team of the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and the Army conducted a search operation.