The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested from Pune, a 22-year-old man, who is allegedly a key suspect in the abduction and killing of two Meitei students from Imphal three months ago, which triggered widespread protests in Manipur, reports The Indian Express.
The suspect was identified as Paolun Mang. CBI officers said that he fled from Manipur after the crime and had been hiding in Pune.
They said he was nabbed on October 11 and produced before the designated court in Guwahati, which gave the probe agency his custody till October 16. The suspect is being questioned by the CBI for further details in connection with the case.
The CBI had started an extensive operation to nab the culprits using informers and technical surveillance came to know about the alleged involvement of Paolun Mang who is believed to be the “mastermind” behind the incident.
Two Meitei students – Hijam Linthoingami (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20) – went missing on July 6. Photos of their bodies surfaced on September 25, after the internet ban in the state was revoked, leading to a fresh round of protests in the state.
On October 1, the central probe agency arrested two men, Paominlun Haokip and Smalsawm Haokip, and two women, Lhingneichong Baitekuki and Tinneilhing Henthang, all from the Kuki community.
The state has been engulfed in ethnic clashes since May 3, between the Valley dominated Meitei community and the hill inhabitants Kuki community, which has so far claimed over 180 lives.
Based on the complaints of the victims’ parents, the two cases related to the missing students were earlier registered with the Imphal Police and Lamphel Police on July 8 and July 19, respectively. The CBI took over the probe into these two cases on August 23.
After the photos went viral on September 25, CBI Director Praveen Sood dispatched a special team, led by the agency’s Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, which reached Manipur on September 27 to monitor and help the probe.