Discovery of Bodies Amid Hostage Crisis in Manipur
The tragic saga turned bad as the bodies of six persons, including a woman and two children, were found following a hostage situation in Manipur's Jiribam district. This incident has surfaced after three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community were allegedly taken hostage by suspected Kuki militants on November 11.
Initial Recovery of Bodies
First, the three bodies were brought to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) on Friday evening. The initial examination reports indicate that two of them are children and one is a woman. In the course of this investigation, later authorities confirmed that there were indeed three more bodies, which would make six all in all. The latter bodies have not been identified yet and had not arrived at SMCH.
Hostage Crisis
According to sources, the victims were dragged away from their homes while the Kuki militants clashed violently with security personnel in Jiribam's Bokobera area. According to eyewitnesses, the abductors were fully armed while a little faction was fighting the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Laisharam Herojit recited a pathetic phone call from his wife when their family members were among the hostages. According to him, he heard her cry for help before the call was cut off.
Communal Reaction and Demonstrations
Discovery of bodies has sent tensions in the region through the roof. Members of the Kuki community gathered outside SMCH protesting against the way the situation was handled. They say the ten men killed during the clash were "village volunteers." They demanded that the bodies be returned to them so that proper rites are performed. Confrontations ensued as they attempted to block the transport of the deceased.
Government and Security Forces' Actions
In reaction to these incidents, security forces issued reports of the weapons recovered from the encounter site, which included assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. The police denied allegations made by Kuki representatives related to the nature of those killed in the conflict.
End Note
The slaughter continues and innocent people are brutally killed, making the already dire situation in Manipur worse. A region that has long been plagued by ethnic tensions, now sees different communities taking to the streets and engaging in violent confrontation; unfortunately, it's like this that has become the trend to repeat before the powers to be wake up to the need for resolutions.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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