Manipur Horror: Pics Show 2 Students Killed, 2 Armed Men Behind Them

Images of the two missing Meitei students near Bishnupur on July 6 emerged on social media after Internet restoration. There are suspicions that “Kuki armed individuals” abducted them, as reported by the Manipur government in an August status update to the Supreme Court, and their bodies remain undiscovered.

Following the widespread circulation of the images, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a conversation with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and assured swift action by Central security agencies, according to an insider. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating this incident as one of 11 cases of violence against women.

Manipur Government and Security Agencies Actively Investigating

On September 25, the Manipur government released a statement confirming that the State police, in cooperation with Central security agencies, are actively engaged in investigating the case. Their primary objectives are to unravel the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the two students and to identify the individuals responsible for their tragic deaths. Additionally, security forces have initiated a search operation to apprehend the culprits. In light of this distressing situation, the government assures the public of its commitment to taking prompt and resolute action against all those implicated in the abduction and murder. The government remains committed to delivering justice and is ready to enforce strict penalties against those responsible for this heinous act. It urges the public to exercise restraint and allow the authorities to conduct the investigation.

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Ongoing Ethnic Strife and Disappearances in Manipur Raise Concerns

Ethnic conflicts have plagued Manipur, particularly involving the Kuki-Zo tribal group and the Meitei community, since May 3. This ongoing strife has resulted in the deaths of at least 175 individuals, with approximately 30 individuals reported as missing. On July 19, the father of one of the missing students lodged a complaint at the Imphal police station, stating that his daughter had disappeared on July 6 while attending a coaching center. A case of abduction with common intention was subsequently registered at the Lamphel police station.

The status report to the Supreme Court revealed the girl left the coaching center with the youth on a motorcycle. CCTV footage confirmed their presence in Bishnupur. When the girl’s father attempted to contact her, her phone was switched off. However, when her mother called, she briefly answered the call before abruptly ending it.

A teacher of the girl verified to the police that she had attended class on July 6. Despite police visits to locations including Nambol, Moirang, Phougakchao Ikhai, and others, they couldn’t make significant progress. Call records indicated that their final known location was Kwakta Sevla. Subsequently, the police discovered that her phone was active with a new SIM card in Churachandpur days later.

Armed Kuki individuals abducted both companions near a Laimaton stone quarry, within the jurisdiction of Loktak police station in Maoirang. Reviewing CCTV footage from a residence in Bishnupur Awang Leikai, near the FCI office along Old Cachhar Road, Bishnupur, confirmed their presence. The timestamp was 9:12 am on July 6.

According to the status report, an undisclosed “source” clandestinely interred the bodies of the male and female victims on July 12 near Lukhrrabi Khul Ground, Joujangtek, along the demarcation line of the ethnic conflict.

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