Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said that several culprits were arrested in connection with the “kidnapping and killing” of two Manipuri youths, which led to violent protests in the northeastern state last week. However, he didn’t mention the number of people held.
The CM added that the government will ensure maximum punishment, including death penalty for the accused.
“I’m pleased to share that some of the main culprits responsible for the abduction and murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi have been arrested from Churachandpur today.
“As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long hands of the law. We are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed,” the chief minister posted on X.
Two students – a 17-year-old girl, Hijam Linthoingambi, and a 20-year-old young man, Phijam Hemjit had gone missing on July 6, photos of whom surfaced on social media last week, after internet ban was revoked in the state.
The state government later confirmed that the two were dead, and the photographs, purportedly of their bodies, had been widely shared on social media.
One of the purported photos that emerged shows the two youngsters sitting next to each other outdoors, with two men carrying arms standing behind them. The second purportedly shows their bodies slumped on the ground next to each other, with Hemjit’s head missing.
The CBI is currently investigating the case. It is being led by the agency’s Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar.
The CBI said that it has detained four people in connection with the case, which was undertaken in a joint operation with Army and Manipur Police, PTI reported, citing officials.
Imphal Police said that they suspected that the students were killed by Kuki militants. Ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities broke out in the state since May 3, which has so far claimed the lives of over 150 people.
As the news of the two students’ deaths spread, protestors held violent demonstrations in the state’s capital Imphal on September 26 and 27. A mob tried to attack Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s empty ancestral house on Thursday night, despite a security clampdown and curfew in the Imphal valley. However, security forces were successful in foiling the attempt and stopping them 100-150 metres from the residence after firing several rounds of tear gas shells.
The chief minister lives in a separate, well-guarded official residence in the centre of the state’s capital.
Another mob also vandalised the deputy commissioner’s office in Imphal West district and torched two four-wheelers in the early hours of the same day.