New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation, on Sunday, apprehended six persons, including two minors, in connection with the killing of two Meithi students who went missing in July.
The adult accused have been identified as Paominlun Haokip, S Malsawn Haokip, Lhingneichong Baite, and Tinnuphing.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh confirmed that the accused persons were arrested in the Churachandpur district.
“As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long hands of the law, “we are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed,” he wrote on X.
I’m pleased to share that some of the main culprits responsible for the abduction and murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi have been arrested from Churachandpur today.
As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long…
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) October 1, 2023
The students who were allegedly killed were Hijam Linthoingambi (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20), both residents of Imphal. They went missing on July 6, two months after ethnic tensions arose in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
The conflict has resulted in the loss of over 200 lives, forcing nearly 60,000 people to flee their homes.
Earlier this week, images of Linthoingambi and Hemjit were widely shared on social platforms, prompting the Imphal Police to suggest their potential murder by Kuki militants.
Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation.
Earlier, authorities reported the duo as missing with switched-off phones, and their last known location was a tourist spot in the Churachandpur district.
In August, a Manipur Police report to the Supreme Court explained the challenges of investigating due to the presence of armed Kuki militants, making the alleged murder site inaccessible.