Manipur Violence: CM Biren Singh Assures Swift Action On Student 'Murders'

Photos of the bodies of two students, who went missing in July, recently surfaced online. Armed people can be seen standing behind them before they are presumably killed.

The Manipur government on Monday assured of a “swift and decisive” action against the alleged killers of two students after the photographs of their bodies surfaced on social media. The students were reported missing in July this year, 

In a press statement, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “It has come to the notice of the state government that the photos of two students, Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17), who were missing since July 2023, have surfaced on social media. It may be noted that the case has already been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as per the wishes of the people of the state.”

In the first photograph, both the students can be seen sitting on the ground with two armed men standing behind them, while in the second photograph, the duo is seen lying down, possibly dead.

"The state police, in collaboration with the central security agencies, are actively investigating the case to determine the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and to identify the perpetrators who murdered the two students. The security forces have also started the search operation to nab the perpetrators,” the CM's office stated.

“In response to this distressing situation, the government assures the public that swift and decisive action will be taken against all those involved in the kidnapping and killing of Phijam Hemjit and Hijam Linthoingambi. The government is committed to ensuring justice prevails and will impose severe punishment on any perpetrators found responsible for this heinous crime,” the release added.

The Manipur government appealed to the people of the strife-torn state to exercise restraint and let the authorities handle the investigation. “The government encourages the public to exercise restraint and to let the authorities handle the investigation,” the CM's office said.

Earlier this month, the Manipur police informed that the over four-month-long violence has claimed the lives of at least 175 people and 1,108 were left injured, while 32 others are still missing.

Clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities broke out on May 3 this year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.