Manipur CM meets Taphou Kuki families, says killers will be caught

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday met the families of Paoginlal Hangshing and Tinginlun Chongloi, the two youths from Taphou Kuki village who were found dead earlier this month, and assured them that those responsible would be arrested.

The meeting took place at the office of the Taphou Kuki Village Authority in Kangpokpi district, according to a statement from the state's Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), published by The Sangai Express.

'It could take some time'

Khemchand conveyed his condolences and told the families the government would support them. He informed them that the case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He said all those involved in the killing of the two civilians would be arrested, although it might take some time, and urged the public to cooperate fully with the investigation. Pointing to the Tronglaobi case in Bishnupur district, he said the NIA had taken four months to collect enough evidence before arresting the accused in that incident.

Families' requests

The family members asked the Chief Minister to start talks with civil society organisations and to make sure the last rites of the two youths can be performed soon. The village chief, L Chongloi, briefed him on the difficulties villagers have faced since the incident.

Khemchand also met CRPF personnel deployed in Taphou Kuki village and thanked them for their work in keeping the area secure.

Background

According to the DIPR statement, the two youths went missing from Taphou Kuki village on October 28. Their bodies were recovered during a search operation by security forces on November 1 in neighbouring Senapati district. The killings raised tensions in the area, and the Chief Minister announced over the weekend that the NIA would take over the case.

NEInsider will follow the investigation and report on any arrests.