Anwesha Dash, Pune
Recent photos of two Manipuri students have surfaced from the violence hit state of Manipur. One of the pictures shows the before condition of two missing Manipuri students aged 17 and 20, with two armed men in the background alleged to be from the Kuki-Zo tribe, and the after photo reveals their gruesomely murdered bodies which are yet to be found.
Two students from the Meitei tribe of Manipur identified as 17-year-old Hijam Linthoingambi and 20-year-old Phijam Hemjit were reported to be missing since June 6. But after the months long Internet shutdown was lifted from the state, two photos went viral that has put the region in a grievous turmoil yet again.
In the first photo of the two, both the students can be seen sitting in a grassy make-shift compound base, while two armed men stand behind them in a distance. But it is the second photo that brings to light the inhumane murder of both these youths, who were thought to be missing by their families.
Even though these photos have made their rounds all around social media, the mortal remains of the victims have not been found yet. But since the ongoing violence in Manipur was a communal clash between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo tribes, it has been alleged that these two Meitei students were kidnapped and then killed by Kuki-Zo men.
Any semblance of peace that was restored in Manipur for the past few weeks has been completely disrupted as a result of the murder of these two youths. Wide-spread student protests have engulfed the state with deployment of military personnels to subdue the protestors. The newly restored Internet has been shut down again, and schools have been shut for two days.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has promised quick action against the murderers and justice for the victims. As of now the case has been handed over to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation).