Manipur: Kin of Slain Meitei Man Refuse to Accept Body, Demand Justice and Compensation
The family of Mayanglambam Rishikanta, a Meitei man who was tragically gunned down by alleged armed Kuki militants in Churachandpur on Wednesday, has taken a firm stand by refusing to accept his body. They are demanding that the state government meet their key conditions, which include the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and adequate compensation for their loss.
Abduction and Killing in a Cross-Community Setting
Rishikanta, 38 years old, was abducted from the house of his fiancée, Chingnu Haokip, located in the Tuibuong headquarters area. He had been living there for the past month, highlighting a cross-community relationship as his fiancée belongs to the Kuki-Zo community. His body was later recovered from the Natjang area, sparking outrage and grief among his loved ones.
Joint Action Committee Issues Ultimatum
In response to this heinous act, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) was formed on Thursday, with Khumukcham Pradip serving as its convener. The JAC has articulated the family's demands, which are:
- Handing over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough probe.
- Apprehending all individuals involved in the killing.
- Providing compensation to the bereaved family.
The committee has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government, warning of intense agitation supported by civil bodies if their demands are not fulfilled. Khumukcham Pradip stated, "Although two of the demands, which include handing over the body of Rishikanta and transferring the case to NIA, have been fulfilled, we need a concrete assurance from the state that all our demands would be met and swift action would be ensured."
Body Held at Mortuary Amidst Ongoing Tensions
Late on Thursday night, Rishikanta's body was handed over to Kakching police and is currently kept at the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal. The family, supported by the JAC, remains resolute in their decision not to claim the body until they receive firm commitments from authorities. Sanayai, Rishikanta's cousin, mentioned, "We will sit with the JAC from time to time to review the development and accordingly, plan our next move."
Search Operations Intensify in Churachandpur
Meanwhile, search operations have continued for the second day in an effort to hunt down the armed militants responsible for Rishikanta's killing. Police reported that a combined force, comprising state and central troops, launched an intense operation at the Natjang area immediately after the incident came to light. On Friday, further operations were underway at the Khoirentak area in Churachandpur district, underscoring the ongoing efforts to bring the culprits to justice.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the deep-seated faultlines in Manipur, nearly three years after previous conflicts. A purported video of the killing surfaced late Wednesday night, carrying the text: "No peace, no popular government," adding to the tensions and highlighting the urgent need for resolution and peace in the region.
