Imphal, Sep 28: Days after the photo of two missing students who were murdered went viral on social media has resulted to fresh tension and a fresh round of violence in Manipur’s Imphal.
Thousands of students took to streets for the second day to demand justice for the two students who was killed by armed men.
The protest turned violent with several students getting injured in the clash with the security forces, while several policemen was also attacked by the protesting students and their weapons were snatched.
During the protest, the BJP office in Thoubal district was set on fire by the angry protesters.
Meanwhile, CM Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured him of quick action in dealing with the culprits responsible for kidnapping and killing the two youths.
Manipur’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday strongly denounced the alleged “kidnapping and killing” of two students, and vowed “maximum punishment” for culprits.
“Since 1-1.5 months there has been no exchange of fire from either side, and peace is being restored. A sad incident took place, where a Meity girl and a boy were missing from July 3. We tried to trace them and finally handed over the case to CBI on August 28. A viral video surfaced yesterday where the bodies of the two missing youths were found,” ANI reported Biren Singh saying.
“This is a sad incident, and it is highly condemnable that what the Kuki militants have done is the highest level of crime. Union Minister Amit Shah called me yesterday and ensured that he is sending a CBI team along with the Special Director. They have arrived here in the afternoon today. I want to promise to the people of Manipur that we will ensure the culprit is given maximum punishment,” the chief minister added
#WATCH | Manipur CM N Biren Singh says "…Since 1-1.5 months there has been no exchange of fire from either side, and peace is being restored. A sad incident took place, where a Meitei girl and a boy were missing from 3rd July. We tried to trace them and finally handed over the… pic.twitter.com/Gbt66d17YT
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2023
Also, seeing fresh tension in the valley, government extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA by another six months in Manipur barring 19 police stations falling under the Imphal valley and an area that shares its boundary with neighbouring Assam.
Also, a CBI team, led by the agency’s Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, reached Imphal on Wednesdayin a special flight to investigate the alleged “kidnapping and killing” of the two students, reported ANI.
So far, more than 180 people have lost their lives in the violence since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
