CBI Arrests 4, Detains 2 for Meitei Student Couple’s Murder

Imphal: A joint team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Manipur Police arrested four persons and detained two minors in connection with the killing of two Meitei students which triggered fresh violence in the northeastern state.

The two students, said to be lovers, went missing and were allegedly killed by Kuki tribe people.

The photos of their bodies went viral on social media recently triggering massive outrage and protests by students and people from the Meitei tribe.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh took to social media to announce the arrest of the culprits and assured that his government is committed to ensuring capital punishment for the culprits.

“I’m pleased to share that some of the main culprits responsible for the abduction and murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi have been arrested from Churachandpur today,” CM Biren Singh posted on X.

“As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long hands of the law. We are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed,” the CM announced.

I’m pleased to share that some of the main culprits responsible for the abduction and murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi have been arrested from Churachandpur today.

As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long…

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) October 1, 2023

Ethnic violence between the hill-majority Kuki tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis began on May 3, following a protest by the Kukis over the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. Over 180 have died and thousands have been internally displaced.