Imphal: The discovery of viral photos suspected to be of two missing Meitei students, Phijam Hemanjit (20) from Takyel Kolom Leikai and Hijam Lingthoinganbi (17) from Tera Tongbram Leikai, has raised tremendous concerns amid the ongoing violence in Manipur. Hijam Lingthoinganbi was a student of TG. Higher Secondary School and was preparing for NEET exam, according to sources.
The photos of the two missing students bodies have gone viral on social media platforms, taking the internet by storm in Manipur state and in the region. The photos bear watermark from a Realme C3 mobile phone.
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The two Meitei students have been missing since July 6 and people have been suspecting that they might have been killed by armed group in the ethnic violence that has gripped the state since May 3. CCTV footage from July 6 captured the two missing students riding a KTM bike along the Tiddim road. In response to public outcry and concerns over their disappearance, their missing case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Meanwhile, Manipur Government has issued a press release stating that it has come to the notice of the photos which have surfaced on social media. It said that 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, it added.
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In response to this distressing situation, the government assured the public that swift and decisive action will be taken against all those involved in the kidnapping and killing of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi. The government assured it is committed to ensuring justice and will impose severe punishment on any perpetrators found responsible for this heinous crime. The state government also encouraged the public to exercise restraint and to let the authorities handle the investigation.
Reacting to the viral photos of the bodies, suspected to be of the two missing Meetei students, students in Imphal city erupted into agitation today. Students of CC Higher Secondary School and TG. Higher Secondary School and others took to the streets in protest. Security forces resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the agitating students. Many student agitators reportedly sustained injuries in the scuffle. At least 31 injured students were rushed to Raj Medicity in Imphal. Further details awaited.
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