Bodies of woman and 2 children found near Manipur-Assam border, days after Jiribam abduction

Authorities discovered the decomposed bodies of a woman and two children, including an infant, near the Manipur-Assam border. The remains were found close to a river, located approximately 15-20 kilometers from where six members of a Meitei family were abducted in Jiribam earlier this week. The bodies have been taken to Silchar for identification, though officials have not yet confirmed if they belong to the abducted family.

The family, consisting of three women and three children, was abducted on Tuesday by suspected militants. The bodies were found days later, though the exact timeline of death is still unclear. According to police officials, if the identities cannot be determined through initial identification methods, a DNA test will be carried out to confirm the individuals' identities. At the time of the abduction, the family had been at home when the armed group reportedly took them away.

The ongoing violence in Manipur, which has persisted since May 2023, has resulted in over 230 deaths. The conflict, primarily between Meitei and Kuki groups, continues to destabilize the region. The latest incident of abduction and the subsequent discovery of the bodies is part of a broader pattern of escalating violence in the state.

On Tuesday, two civilians were also found dead in Jiribam, with reports suggesting that security forces had gunned down 10 suspected militants in retaliation for an attack on a CRPF post. The abduction of the Meitei family followed these events, prompting local residents to urge government intervention. Laishram Herojit, a resident of Jiribam, appealed for the immediate rescue of his family, claiming that they were abducted while he was at home.

In addition to the abduction, protests have intensified over the deaths of the 10 tribal individuals. Tribespeople argue that the victims were village volunteers and not militants, demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident. The protests also extend to the reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain districts of Manipur. Both tribal and Meitei groups have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of AFSPA in restoring peace to the region. The protests have continued to grow, with some local organizations calling for a change in security deployment, suggesting that the Assam Rifles should replace the CRPF in certain areas to reduce tensions.