Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday strongly condemned the ‘heinous’ killing of two students and said that his government wouldn’t spare anyone involved in the killing of Phijam Hemajit and Hijam Linthoingambi which went viral after their bodies were found lying somewhere after they went missing on July 6.
He continued that the case regarding the missing two teenagers was already handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 28th August 2023.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chief Minister said he had talked with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the case and added that the case is being taken seriously. He continued that Special Director, CBI Ajay Bhatnagar along with other five officials had landed in the State Thursday and had started the investigation. He appealed to all the people of the State to have trust in the seriousness taken by the government regarding the case.
Acknowledging the people’s sentiment and protests over the killing of two students, N. Biren also directed the security forces to have maximum restraint while controlling the mob and added that action would be initiated if security personnel used excessive action against the public, especially the students in controlling their agitation.
The Chief Minister sought the support and cooperation of the public in handling the current crisis and restoring peace in the State.
N. Biren informed that 25 companies of central forces and two companies of Rapid Action Force had been deployed in 23 places of Churachandpur District. He continued that a process had been taken up to deploy three companies of central force in Behiang, maintaining that the Government is taking up steps to enforce law and order.
CBI team arrives
A CBI team led by Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar reached Imphal Wednesday afternoon to investigate the “kidnapping and killing” of two students days after they went missing, sources said.
Photos of the bodies of the two students — Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17) — who were missing since July 6, were shared widely on social media on Monday, sparking fresh rounds of protests in the state.
The focus of the agency will be identifying the scene of crime, retrieve the bodies besides and nail the perpetrators, the sources said.
The team will meet senior police and government officials and go through local intelligence about the tragic incident, they said.
Congress chief demands sacking of Biren
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur and demanded that he sack BJP’s “incompetent” chief minister as a first step to control the turmoil.
He also alleged that the violence against women and children has been weaponized and accused the BJP of turning Manipur into a battlefield.
“For 147 days, people of Manipur are suffering, but PM Modi does not have time to visit the state. The horrific images of students being targeted in this violence has once again shocked the entire nation,” he said on X.
