Imphal: Two boys Avinash Maibam aged 16 and Ningthoujam Anthony 19, have gone missing in Manipur, triggering fresh protests on Monday. Sources said the teenagers, both residents of Akham Awang Leikai in Imphal West district, had gone out in a two-wheeler on Sunday and did not return. People started protesting by blocking roads and staging protests on Monday.
Students from across the state staged protests at various places, suspecting the teenagers had been kidnapped by unknown miscreants. The protestors demanded the safe release of the duo.
CCTV footage shows the two youths driving towards Kanglatombi and their mobile phone was recovered near a petrol pump in Senapati, according to reports.
In response to this, a joint operation with Manipur police involving multiple security forces was initiated in the Khengjang and K Lhangnom villages. During this operation, three individuals were apprehended for further questioning and verification regarding the missing boys. The search operation is still ongoing to locate the missing individuals.
Meanwhile, MLA S. Rajen Singh, along with the parents and family members of the missing teenagers met Governor, Anusuiya Uikey and Chief Minister N Biren Singh to discuss the matter. Rajen apprised of the circumstances leading to the disappearance of the two teenagers. The team also submitted a memorandum to the Governor.
During the interaction with the parents, the Governor enquired about the incident in detail from their family members. Uikey also spoke to DGP, Manipur Rajiv Singh over the phone and she was informed that combined search operations by security forces are going on in the suspected locations.
The Governor expressed anguish over the incident and assured the parents that she would extend all possible help in tracing the missing boys. She urged the parents to stay positive and have hope that the boys will return safely.
