Parents of Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam and Phijam Hemanjit Singh on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey, demanding to handover of the mortal remains of the two students so that their families may perform their last rites.
The memorandum was submitted at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, where the parents were accompanied by former MLA AK Mirabai.
The memorandum highlighted that the two students have been missing since July 6, 2023 after violence in Manipur escalated. Manipur violence erupted on May 3, 2023 after a large number of houses and properties were set on fire in Churachandpur district, adjoining Bishnupur district.
It stated that on September 25 last year, viral photos of the two minors appeared on social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly known as Twitter). The photos were taken while they were alive and after they were killed. In the background of the photos, suspected Kuki militants were seen.
In a follow-up action by the state government, the missing case was handed over to the CBI. In connection with the case, the CBI arrested some persons and took them into custody for interrogation. Later, it was learned that the CBI had submitted a chargesheet to the court concerned.
The memorandum, signed by the father of the girl student, Hijam Kulajit Singh, and the guardians of the boy student, Phijam Ibungobi Singh, further stated that the demand of the family members and the public to hand over the mortal remains of the two students remains unanswered by the authorities and CBI till date.
“The CBI can establish the real crime scene, the actual fate of the two minors, the location of the dead bodies if killed, and other details. The non-disclosure has resulted in the loss of faith in the authorities of the State that they are the guardians for the welfare of its citizens,” it mentioned.
Speaking to the media in front of Raj Bhavan, Imphal main gate, Mirabai said the Governor informed security advisor Kuldiep Singh to report the status of the case in their presence through telephone. They were told by the governor that an appointment has been fixed on Tuesday to meet Kuldiep on the matter.
She said the family members do not want to hear that the investigation is continuing; they only want confirmation that the CBI has arrested some persons in connection with the case and that a charge-sheet has been submitted to the court.
The family members want updated information and demand that the mortal remains of the two students, even if it is a piece of bone, a piece of cloth, or some soil from where they were buried, so they can perform the last rites of the two students, she added.
Mirabai said the family members will meet the security advisor Kuldiep Singh on Tuesday around 11 am at his office. However, she cautioned that the family members cannot predict the public reaction if the meeting is not productive.
