Manipur is back on the edge over the deaths iof two Imphal residents, Hijam Linthoingami (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20), who went missing on July 6. After a month of their disappearance, two photographs emerged, confirming that the duo had been killed.
The incident prompted the Manipur state government to announce “swift and decisive” action against the culprits. The news led to renewed protests by the Meitei community in the valley areas of strife-torn Manipur on Tuesday.
To stop potential unrest, mobile internet services, which had only recently been restored after nearly five months of suspension, were once again snapped in the evening. The Home Department issued an order indicating that mobile internet services would remain suspended for the next five days.
Also Read: Two Manipur students who had gone missing in July presumed killed after photos surface
One of the photographs that emerged depicts the two young individuals seated outdoors, flanked by two armed men. The second photograph purportedly shows their lifeless bodies lying side by side, with Hemjit’s head missing.
Kulajit Hijam, Linthoingambi’s father, expressed his anguish, saying, “Her gaze in that photo—I’ve never seen that before. It pains me a lot. Such a deep look filled with love and emotion… Why did they kill two children?”
Following the emergence of the photographs, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat released a statement confirming the identities of the two individuals and announcing that the case had been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Also Read: ‘In Manipur, efforts on to bring back sense of normalcy’: S Jaishankar
Birodini Devi recalled their efforts, saying, “When we complained to the police, they simply told us they had gone into a Kuki-dominated area where they (police personnel) have no capacity to enter. We were asked to consult higher authorities. We met the Chief Minister, Governor, and Security Advisor. They promised that action would be taken, but nothing was done. Had the government functionaries been proactive, the children could have been traced and the miscreants arrested.”
Hemjit’s family also approached the police, leading to this case being among the 11 cases of violence against women and children transferred to the CBI in August.
This move followed the horrifying incident in late July involving the parading and sexual assault of three Kuki-Zomi women. Notably, of these 11 cases, this is the sole instance in which the victims belonged to the Meitei community.
In response to the news, widespread protests erupted across Imphal on Tuesday, with demonstrators, including students from local schools and colleges, marching towards the Chief Minister’s residence. Law enforcement agencies employed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, resulting in over 40 injuries during the day. In light of the “prevailing law and order situation,” the Education Department announced the closure of schools on Wednesday and Friday, with Thursday designated as a public holiday
In the evening, Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured the public, stating, “In light of the distressing news that emerged yesterday regarding the tragic demise of the missing students, I want to assure the people of the state that both the state and central government are closely working together to nab the perpetrators.” He further added, “I have been constantly in touch with Hon’ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
A team of 10 officers, accompanied by the CBI Special Director, will depart from Delhi for Manipur in a special flight on Wednesday morning, with Joint Director Ghanshyam Upadhyay set to join them in Manipur.