CBI Chief, special team rush to Manipur after fresh tension, to probe students' death case

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the CBI director along with a specialised team will arrive in Imphal to investigate the killing of two youths who had been missing since July 6.

As Manipur reported fresh tension, a special CBI team headed by its director Praveen Sood will land in Manipur on Wednesday (September 27) morning to speed up the investigation into the alleged murder of two Meitei students.

"To further expedite this crucial investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, along with a specialized team, will be arriving in Imphal tomorrow morning in a special flight. Their presence underscores the commitment of our authorities to swiftly resolve this matter. I have been constantly in touch with Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice," Manipur CM N Biren Singh posted in X on Tuesday night.

Singh disclosed this at a time Imphal reported fresh tension as protesters clashed with police and Rapid Action Force personnel on Tuesday (Sep 26) night resulting injuries to several persons. The protesters spilled onto the streets demanding action against those involved in the abduction and murder of the two students.

Tension started after photos of the bodies of two missing students were shared on social media days after mobile data internet was restored in Manipur after nearly five months. In one photo, two students, Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17) were seen sitting together with armed men standing behind them. In the second photo, the two were seen lying inside a jungle with head of Hemjit missing. Meitei protesters suspect involvement of the Kukis in the incident. The two students remained missing since July 6.

The state government on Tuesday closed schools and reimposed the ban on mobile internet in view of the deteriorating law and order situation. Mobile internet was restored on September 23 after nearly five months as the law and order situation improved. But the fresh tension has made the state government as well as the security agencies worried again.
The CM said that both the state and central government are closely working to nab the perpetrators.