Manipur: Bodies Of 2 Children, Woman Found In Jiribam Days After 6 Of Family Were Kidnapped

Tensions in Manipur heighten following the discovery of bodies near the Manipur-Assam border, possibly linked to an earlier family kidnappin

Tensions escalated in Manipur after the bodies of two children and a woman were found on Friday evening near the Manipur-Assam border. The bodies were found days after six members of a family were kidnapped by the militants in Manipur's Jiribam district. 

As per the officials, the dead bodies were found approximately 15 kilometres away from the site of the kidnapping near a river on the inter-state border. However, it has not been established yet whether the recovered dead bodies are of the kidnapped victims. The corps has been sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam for verification, said an official on condition of anonymity. 

In case the dead bodies could not be identified a DNA test could be conducted for the same, as per an ABP News report. 

On Friday, hundreds of people hit the streets for a candlelight vigil in Mizoram's Aizawl against the death of 11 people belonging to the Hmar-Mizo community in Manipur's Jiribam.

The protestors shouted slogans during the demonstration condemning the killing of a Hmar tribal woman, who was the mother of three children at Zairwan village near Jiribam town on November 7. 

They also protested against the killing of 10 more people belonging to the Hmar-Mizo community by security forces at Jakuradhor in Jiribam on November 11.

The protestors blamed the Manipur government and the Centre for "failing to contain the ethnic violence between the Meitei people and the Kuki-Zo community".

On Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in six police stations of Manipur, including the violence-hit Jiribam. 

The MEA said that AFSPA  was extended in six Police stations of five districts in Manipur, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Kangpokpi and Bishnupur with immediate effect.

Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam slammed the Centre over its move alleging the Union government's control over the state government. 

The Union Government has imposed AFSPA in areas under six police stations in Manipur," said the MP in a post on X. 

"This latest imposition makes history. It is worth recollecting that all the hitherto impositions of AFSPA in the state have been done by the Government of Manipur," he added.