Fresh protests have erupted in strife-torn Manipur after two missing Meitei students were declared murdered after photos of their bodies went viral on social media. The Manipur government on Tuesday reinstated the internet ban for the next five days hundreds of protesters clashed with security forces leaving at least 40 students injured.
The students – Hijam Linthoingambi (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20) – are suspected to have been killed by Kuki militants, according to the Imphal Police. Their last location was traced to a tourist spot in the Churachandpur district, now controlled by Kuki-Zo groups, on July 6.
The Manipur Government also suspended schools for the next two days in view of the “prevailing law and order situation in the State.”
Mobile internet services were restored on September 23 after five months of being suspended due to ethnic violence between the Meiteis and the Kukis on May 3. The state’s territory has been divided on ethnic lines since May, valley for Meitei and Hill for the Kuki-Zo ethnic groups.
Over 200 people have been killed in the conflict with gunfights frequently between the fighting groups.
On Sunday, photos of the students were widely shared on social media. In one of the photos, the two students are seen sitting next to each other with two armed men behind them. In another photo, their bodies are seen lying on the ground, with one person beheaded. Even though the missing case was reported in July, state police were unable to go to Churachandpur and investigate due to the fighting.
The state government stated that the case had been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation. It also urged citizens to exercise restraint and allow the authorities to investigate the killing of the two students.
“In light of the distressing news that emerged yesterday regarding the tragic demise of the missing students, I want to assure the people of the State that both the state and central government are closely working together to nab the perpetrators,” Chief Minister N Biren Singh posted on X.
