Headless body of 2-year-old and grandmother found in Manipur river after hostage crisis

In a tragic development from Manipur, the decomposed bodies of a two-year-old boy and his 60-year-old grandmother were discovered floating in a river near Jiribam on Friday, November 17. The victims, L Chingheinganba and Y Rani Devi, were among six hostages taken by suspected Kuki militants during an attack on Monday. The boy's headless body was found wedged between tree branches, with his arms missing, while his grandmother’s semi-naked body was found face down in the river.

The hostages, all from the Meitei community, were taken during an encounter between militants and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) near Borobekra, around 220 kilometers from Imphal. Along with the two victims, other members of the family—including an eight-month-old infant and two women—were also killed. The bodies of the remaining victims were recovered in Assam's Silchar, but Mr. Herojit's wife remains missing.

Reports say that shortly after the bodies were found, violent protests erupted in Imphal, with angry crowds vandalizing houses of ruling BJP MLAs and attempting to storm the Chief Minister’s official residence. Protesters blamed the state government for failing to act swiftly in rescuing the hostages and for providing minimal communication before the tragic confirmation of their deaths.

The incident followed a brutal attack by around 24 suspected Kuki militants in Jiribam’s Borobekra. While one group took civilians hostage, the other group attacked a CRPF camp, resulting in the death of ten militants. The Kuki groups have claimed that the ten militants killed were “village volunteers,” a claim strongly denied by authorities who have shared evidence linking the attackers to a well-armed militia.

The brutal killing of women and children, especially during such hostage operations, has sparked condemnation across political lines, with leaders calling it an act of terror rather than a mere skirmish between communities. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, expressed deep sorrow, demanding severe punishment for the perpetrators.

Further violence followed when a Meitei woman was shot dead while working in a paddy field in Bishnupur, allegedly by suspected Kuki militants. This shooting added to the mounting tension, with accusations flying from both sides. The Meitei civil society groups believe the shot came from a nearby hill, while Kuki groups deny it, citing the long distance between the field and the hill.