In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the fate of two missing residents of Imphal, Hijam Linthoingami (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20), was confirmed after they disappeared on July 6. The discovery of two photographs providing grim evidence of their demise has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting the state government to vow “swift and decisive” action against the culprits.
The revelation has reignited protests by Meiteis in the valley areas of strife-ridden Manipur, culminating in the sudden suspension of mobile internet services. Just days after being reinstated following a nearly five-month blackout, the Home Department has announced a further five-day suspension of mobile internet services.
One of the unveiled photographs depicts the two youths seated outdoors, flanked by two armed men. The second image is even more distressing, displaying their lifeless bodies side by side, with Hemjit’s head tragically absent.
Kulajit Hijam, Linthoingambi’s father, expressed his anguish, saying, “Her gaze in that photo, I’ve never seen that before. It pains me a lot. Such a deep look filled with love and emotion… Why did they kill two children?” Meanwhile, Birodini Devi, Hemjit’s mother, revealed that she had long lost hope of her son returning home alive. “Yesterday’s photos confirm he was killed. All I want now is for authorities to hand over even a bone or piece of clothing for the last rites,” she lamented.
The Chief Minister’s Secretariat swiftly verified the identities of the individuals in the photographs, confirming them as the missing youngsters. The case has already been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), with state police and central security agencies collaborating in the active investigation.
A team of ten officers, including the CBI Special Director, is scheduled to depart for Manipur from Delhi on a special flight. Joint Director Ghanshyam Upadhyay will join the team in Manipur, sources report.
Twenty-four Meitei MLAs have petitioned the Union Home Minister, urging the CBI to expedite the investigation and bring the guilty parties to justice, drawing parallels to the swift action taken in a previous viral video case involving the abuse of Kuki-Zomi women.
Kulajit echoed the sentiment, stating, “If the government is truly committed, I want justice to be delivered within seven days – just as done when the women were paraded naked.”
