Unexplained disappearances and reports of missing has been a recurring throughout the entire conflict which erupted on May 3 in Churachandpur.
On Friday, the last rites of two missing individuals namely Atom Samarendra and Yumkhaibam Kirankumar from Khumbong Mayai Leikai, Imphal West were performed without the deceased’s bodies.
The two individuals went missing on May 6, 2023 and since then the police have not been able to recover their bodies and have remained untraceable.
Following traditional Meitei beliefs, the burial was performed with ‘Pangong’ substituting the deceased’s bodies.
Memorial stones commemorating the contributions of the two individuals were also unveiled during the ceremony.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the ceremony, president of Imphal West Students Club Khumbong Oinam Samarendra lamented the state authorities’ inability to ascertain the exact whereabouts of the two individuals till now.
“Both were exceptional individuals who dedicated their lives to ushering peace and unity in Manipur. But unfortunately the families still yearn for their loved ones bodies which are still at large,” he said.
He highlighted the club had organised the entire ceremony in honour of the two individuals and to bring closure to both families.
Both served key roles in the working of the club as such we resolved to organise the entire ceremony in their honour, he added.
He further called upon all patriots of Manipur to fight against the malice of the Chin Kuki Narco terrorist and valiantly defend Manipur from their onslaught.
“Manipur is an amalgamation of various communities but we should ward off those who threaten our integrity and unity,” he said.
AMJWU president Khogendra Khomdram, Health minister Sapam Ranjan among others also attended the ceremony briefly.
