The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Manipur Police on Sunday apprehended six individuals, including two minors, in connection with the brutal killing of two Meitei students. The tragic incident had triggered renewed violence amid the Kuki-Meitei ethnic conflict in Manipur.
This distressing event came to light again when a photograph of the victims resurfaced on social media platforms, reigniting outrage over the situation in Manipur. The incident occurred earlier on 6 July when a 17-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man eloped. However, they found themselves trapped in a Kuki-dominated area, where they were killed.
The photo surfaced on social media months after the incident took place as there was an internet ban in the restive state which was lifted on 23 September.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday announced that the Central Bureau of Investigation had arrested four culprits for the ‘kidnapping and killing’ of two Meitei teenagers who had gone missing in July.
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…
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) October 1, 2023
The four, including the wife of the main accused, were taken “outside the state” by a special flight, Singh said.
Since the onset of ethnic clashes in Manipur on 3 May, over 180 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and several hundreds have sustained injuries. These clashes initially erupted following the organization of a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts. The march aimed to protest against the Meitei community’s request for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Manipur government extends internet ban
The Manipur state government has extended the ban on the internet for another five days. The internet ban in Manipur that was supposed to end on 1 October has now been extended till 6 October.
The internet ban has been extended following reports of incidents of violence like “confrontation of the public with security forces, trying to mob elected member’s residences, civil protests in front of police stations,” the government said.
ITLF issues indefinite shutdown notice
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) have resolved to declare an indefinite shutdown in protest against the “abduction of 7 Kuki-Zo including 2 minors” by the NIA and CBI starting from 10 AM of 2 October.
INDEFINITE SHUTDOWN ALERT
Selective justice by the Govt at New Delhi and Imphal will no longer go unnoticed!
We, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), stand united against the abduction & arrest of 7 Kuki-Zo individuals, including 2 minors, by the National… pic.twitter.com/VzU9N4vFvm
— ITLFMediaCell (A) (@ITLFMedia_Cell) October 1, 2023
It also “requested” the NIA and CBI to release the “7 abductees within 48 hours” failing which more intense agitation will follow in the hill districts of Manipur.