Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “In light of the distressing news that emerged on September 25 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. To further expedite this crucial investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director, along with a specialised team, will arrive in Imphal on September 27 by a special flight. Their presence underscores the commitment of our authorities to swiftly resolve this matter. I have been constantly in touch with Hon’ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
Two students, Phijam Hemjit (20-year-old boy) and Hijam Linthoingambi(17-year-old girl) were abducted from Bishnupur on July 6 by armed militants and taken to a jungle camp in Churachandpur district. Their photos went viral on September 25. In one photo the minor girl and the boy were seen in a militant camp and two armed militants were seen behind them. In another viral photo, the bodies of the killed students were lying in the same location. The viral photos created huge outrage amongst the Meitei community. On the other hand the Manipur cabinet on September 26 sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention into the death of two Meitei teens who were abducted on July 6, 2023. In a letter addressed to the Union Home Minister, the legislators wrote, ” We, the undersigned Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manipur would like to bring to your kind notice that photos of two murdered students, Phijam Hemjit (20 years) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17 years) who have been missing since July 2023 have surfaced on social media today which had led to widespread unrest and violence in the state on 26th September.
Earlier on September 26, thousands of students took to streets to protest the brutal killing of two Meitei teens in Imphal. The students took to the streets starting from morning and participated in the protest rallies. The agitated students attempted to march towards Raj Bhawan and later the CM’s Bungalow. However, police personnel prevented them from entering both the high security areas.The demonstrators soughted “We want justice,” “We condemn the brutal killings of innocent students,” and “punish the culprits at the earliest.”
