Thousands of students in Imphal took to the streets today after photos of two missing teenagers, allegedly killed by suspected Kuki militants, surfaced. The students, mainly from CC Higher Secondary School, TG Higher Secondary School, Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Ananda Singh Academy, GP Women’s College, Ibotonsana School, and Imphal College, gathered and demanded justice for the two students who disappeared on July 6.
The students from CC Higher Secondary School, protesting the killing, began blocking the roads in front of the school in the afternoon. They held placards with messages such as “We want Justice, Bring Peace” and “We strongly condemn the brutal killing of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit. The enraged students marched towards CM Bungalow, defying the security barricades. In response, the police fired tear gas and mock bombs to control the situation, resulting in injuries to many students. Around 31 injured students were admitted to various hospitals. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Security Forces faced difficulties in controlling the students.
A student protestor from CC Higher Secondary School stated to the media, “We demand that the state government apprehend the culprits promptly. If no action is taken, we will escalate our protests.”
Meanwhile, students from Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School formed a human chain on both sides of the road at Uripok Kangchup road and organized a rally to protest the brutal killings of the two students. However, the security forces prevented the students from proceeding further at the western gate of Kangla. Tear gas and mock bombs were fired by the security forces to disperse the students.
In a meeting held after the protest at TG Higher Secondary School, the students reached a consensus to persist in their attendance at the school. As a form of protest, they agreed to wear black badges while on school premises. Additionally, all schools in Manipur are expected to participate in this protest. The students expressed their determination to continue protesting until the bodies of the two missing students are located and handed over. Furthermore, they strongly condemned the use of tear gas and smoke bombs directed at them, demanding that the perpetrator responsible for the killing of the two students be promptly apprehended.
It is worth mentioning that CCTV footage showed the two students riding together on a KTM bike along Nambol towards Khoupum via Lamdan, as witnessed by villagers in the surrounding area and has since been missing on July 6.The images of the two missing students went viral on social media yesterday, showing the duo before and after their brutal killing, with two armed men in the background. According to the timeline indicated in the viral photos, the pictures were taken on July 8, two days after they went missing.
Centre should be ashamed of its inaction – Priyanka Gandhi
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the central government for its lack of action in response to the killing of two students that went missing on July 6. She expressed her disappointment, stating that the government should be “ashamed” for allowing these horrific crimes to continue without intervention.
Priyanka Gandhi shared her concerns on X ,”More shocking news from Manipur. Children are the most vulnerable victims of ethnic violence. It is our duty to do all we can to protect them.The horrific crimes being committed in Manipur are beyond words, yet they are being allowed to continue unabated. The central government should be ashamed of its inaction.
Her remarks followed the recent news of the murder of two young students.