Manipur Horror: Missing Meitei Students Found Dead, Shocking Images Go Viral
After enduring months of unrest and heightened tensions, Manipur has at long last seen the restoration of mobile internet services. However, mere days following this development, distressing photos of the bodies of two missing students, hailing from the Meitei community, have emerged online. These students had been reported missing since July 6th.
This is one of the 11 cases under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning violence against women.
As of now, there is no information regarding the location of the two individuals' bodies.
The Manipur government submitted a status report to the Supreme Court in August, stating that the two friends are believed to have been kidnapped by “Kuki armed miscreants,”.
The photographs depict two students, namely Hijam Linthoingambi, 17, and Phijam Hemjit, 20, seated on the grassy grounds of what seems to be an improvised camp located within a jungle. Linthoingambi is attired in a white t-shirt, while Hemjit is holding a backpack and wearing a checked shirt. Behind them, two individuals carrying firearms are distinctly visible. In the subsequent image, their lifeless forms are observed lying on the ground.
The government assures that action will be taken
Following the emergence of the photos, the Manipur government announced today that it will take "swift and decisive" measures, according to an NDTV report.
"It has come to the notice of the state government that the photos of two students... who have been missing since July 2023 have surfaced on social media. It may be noted that this case has already been handed over to the CBI as per the wishes of the people of the state," the Manipur government said in a statement today.
"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 government said.
The government has pledged to respond with "swift and decisive action" against anyone connected to the abduction and murder of the two students. It is urging the public to remain peaceful and allow the investigators to carry out their duties.
The images of the two students went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage as internet users expressed their frustration with the investigation agencies' slow response.
One post read, "What is their fault? Being a Meitei, a non-KukiZo !! 17-year-old student Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit disappeared on 6th July where there phone was then traced few days later in #Kuki_Zo dominated area of Churachandpur. There was a massive appeal and plea for their safe release but it looks like #KukiZoNarcoTerrorist has murdered them in cold blood !! Do they have to paraded the ordeal they went through for the world to take notice !! All Indians should stop this #KukiAtrocities, the #CrimesAgainstManipur, and bring justice to the many who have murdered."
Another post read, "Grim lifeless images emerged of the two young Meitei minors, missing since July 6. These innocent students fell victim to the brutality of Kuki Zo . Their grieving parents await their children's remains for a final farewell."