The unresolved disappearance and tragic fate of the two minors, namely Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam and Phijam Hemanjit amid the Manipur crisis continue to haunt their families and the community at large.
Amid these grievances, the last rites of late Phijam Hemanjit were conducted on Wednesday, despite his remains yet to be traced till date.
The ceremony utilised traditional customs, with use of ‘pang-gong’, a tree, in place of his body.
In a press conference, Hijam Kulajit, father of late Linthoingambi Chanu, expressed deep sorrow over the government’s failure to locate his daughter’s remains, stating that the situation sharply contradicts the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ slogan of PM Modi.
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He stated that the last rites of Linthoingambi will not be conducted until and unless her remains are found.
He criticised the perceived lack of progress in the case despite the CBI filing a chargesheet in December 2023 against five individuals, including two minors, who were arrested in connection with the case.
Furthermore, the father alleged a conspiracy involving the Indian government’s SoO agreement with Kuki militants, blaming it for exacerbating the crisis. He further called for accountability from the 10 Kuki MLAs, advocating for FIRs against them in connection with the ongoing turmoil.
As the Manipur crisis persists, Kulajit appealed to national leaders to urgently address the escalating unrest during the current Parliament session.
In July 2023, Phijam Hemanjit and Luwangbi Linthoingambi disappeared amid the Manipur crisis.
Disturbing photos surfaced in September 2023, allegedly showing them captured before being killed by Kuki militants. The state government transferred the case to the CBI, which has arrested five individuals, including two minors, and filed a chargesheet so far.
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