Tensions escalated in Manipur’s Jiribam district as the bodies of three unidentified women were discovered and transported to Assam’s Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMHC). The tragic discovery follows the abduction of three women and three children earlier in the week by suspected Kuki militants.
Discovery of the Bodies Raises Alarm in Jiribam
The bodies were brought to the SMHC morgue, approximately 50 kilometers from Jiribam, on Friday evening. According to sources, autopsies were conducted at SMHC due to the lack of appropriate facilities in Jiribam. While authorities have yet to identify the deceased, the grim find has added to the already heightened tensions in the region.
The abductions occurred on Monday in Jiribam’s Bokobera neighborhood during a violent encounter between suspected Kuki militants and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Tragically, among the hostages were three women and three children, including an infant and a two-and-a-half-year-old child. The mother of the two younger children was among those taken.
Hostage Crisis Sparks Community Outrage
The hostages, members of Manipur’s Meitei community, were reportedly kidnapped during a chaotic gunfight between militants and security forces. Witness accounts indicate that the women and children were forcibly taken on a boat by armed assailants.
A deeply distressed Laisharam Herojit, a state government employee, revealed his family was among the victims. In an emotional appeal to media outlets, Herojit described receiving a frantic phone call from his wife during the initial attack. “She was crying and said they were surrounded by armed men. The call got disconnected, and when I called back, her phone was switched off,” he recounted.
Witnesses later informed Herojit that his family was seen being transported by boat, intensifying fears for their safety.
Deadly Encounter with Militants
The abduction incident coincided with a fierce gunfight between security forces and suspected militants, resulting in the deaths of 10 alleged Kuki fighters. Security personnel recovered several weapons, including AK and INSAS rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, from the encounter site. Authorities also released images of bullet-riddled police vehicles as evidence of the intense confrontation.
The Kuki community has contested these claims, alleging that those killed were “village volunteers.” Security officials, however, have dismissed these assertions, standing by their report that the deceased were militants involved in the attack.
Community Vigil and Appeals for Justice
In response to the unfolding crisis, the Meitei community in Imphal held a candlelight vigil, demanding the safe release of the remaining hostages and justice for the victims. The emotional gathering highlighted the community’s growing despair and urgent need for resolution.
The Borobekra area of Jiribam, where the hostages were taken, lies less than a kilometer from the Barak River, a location now central to investigations. Security forces remain on high alert as they work to uncover further details and ensure the safety of the hostages.
The Path Forward
The tragic events in Jiribam underscore the ongoing tensions between ethnic groups in the region and the challenges faced by security forces in maintaining peace. Authorities continue their efforts to identify the deceased and bring the perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, families of the hostages await answers and hope for the safe return of their loved ones.
As the situation develops, the call for justice and accountability grows louder, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and security in the conflict-stricken region of Manipur.