Tragic Discovery of Liangmai Naga Men’s Bodies Sparks Outrage in Manipur
Identification of Bodies Raises Alarms
Bodies, suspected to be of six persons of the Naga community, being brought at JNIMS mortuary, in Imphal, on Wednesday. (Photo:PTI)
Imphal, June 12: Family members have identified four out of six bodies found on June 10, believed to belong to missing Liangmai Naga men, at the JNIMS mortuary. The identities of the other two bodies remain unconfirmed.
Authorities indicated that DNA testing might be necessary if visual identification fails.
A family member shared with reporters that the identification process was lengthy, with only four bodies being positively identified. He claimed that one victim was discovered with his hands bound, while the others were found in a severely mutilated state.
"The bodies were butchered and beheaded. We could not identify them through facial features as the remains were badly mutilated," he stated, expressing the family's devastation and anger over the killings.
The family member urged both the Manipur Government and the central authorities to ensure justice for the victims, expressing frustration over the lack of progress since the abduction and noting that no local representatives had visited the grieving families.
He mentioned that the families had not been informed of the exact location where the bodies were found, although they had heard it was near Leilon village.
He also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the search operations in the area, alleging that one severed head remains missing.
Post-mortem examinations have yet to be conducted as the focus is currently on identification.
Meanwhile, D. Adam Liangmai, Chairman of Konsakhul, condemned the killings, describing the condition of the bodies as so horrific that family members had to rely on clothing and personal items for identification.
Adam noted that while 14 Kuki hostages abducted during the same incident were released unharmed, the fate of the six Naga men ended tragically. He demanded justice and accountability for the perpetrators.
In response to the growing outrage, Manipur Home Minister K. Govindas visited the JNIMS mortuary, promising strict action against those responsible for the heinous acts.
Labeling it a "heinous crime against humanity," Govindas condemned the kidnapping and murder of innocent individuals, assuring that the culprits would be apprehended soon.
"It is a heinous crime against humanity. Kidnapping innocent people and butchering them is highly condemnable. We have committed that the perpetrators will be arrested very soon," the Home Minister stated.
Inspector General of Manipur Police, Ningshen Worngam, explained that the identification process has been particularly difficult due to the bodies being recovered separately and in an advanced state of decomposition.
He confirmed that the case has been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with the Manipur Police providing necessary support for the investigation.
The six dismembered bodies were discovered during a comprehensive search operation involving approximately 450 personnel from various security agencies on June 10.
These remains are believed to belong to six Liangmai Naga men who were abducted on May 13, raising widespread concern and repeated calls for their safe return.
The recovery and identification of the bodies have led to widespread condemnation from family members, community leaders, and civil society organizations, all demanding a thorough investigation and severe punishment for those responsible.
This incident has intensified calls for justice and accountability amid one of the most distressing episodes reported during the ongoing conflict in Manipur.