On Friday, the bodies of a woman and two children were discovered floating in the Barak river near Jirimukh in Jiribam, Manipur. This region is currently embroiled in conflict, which has raised concerns that the bodies may be those of three missing individuals from a nearby displaced persons’ camp. These individuals had gone missing following an attack by security forces that killed 10 Hmar “militants” on November 11.
Discovery and Retrieval of the Bodies
- Date of Discovery: The bodies were found on Friday by local residents in the Jiribam area.
- Location: The Barak river, Jirimukh, in conflict-ridden Jiribam, Manipur.
- Action Taken: The bodies were retrieved and sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, located in south Assam, for autopsy and identification.
Identity of the Deceased
At present, it is unclear whether the bodies belong to the six missing individuals reported five days ago. Authorities are awaiting the autopsy results for confirmation.
- Missing Individuals: The six missing people include:
- A 25-year-old woman and her two young children, an eight-month-old daughter and a two-year-old son.
- A 31-year-old woman and her eight-year-old daughter.
- A 60-year-old woman.
Efforts to Locate Missing People
Manipur Police have deployed senior officers to oversee the search operations for the missing individuals.
- Police Operations: Two senior officers were stationed in Jiribam and Borobekra to coordinate multiple teams in the search efforts.
Resignation of Jiribam Police Officer
Amidst the tense situation, Inspector Sagapam Ibotombi Singh, the officer-in-charge of the Jiribam police station, submitted his resignation to the Director General of Police (DGP).
- Reason for Resignation: Singh cited personal family circumstances and other reasons for his resignation.
- Immediate Transfer: He was immediately transferred out of the region. Singh had previously led the police team during a joint counteroffensive with the CRPF following an attack on two paramilitary posts.
- Notable Achievements: Singh had received the President’s Medal for Gallantry on two occasions.
Community Reactions
The Kuki-Zo community disputes the claims of the security forces, asserting that the 10 individuals killed in the retaliatory action were Hmar “volunteers” who were defending their villages from outside intruders.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Where were the bodies of the woman and two children found?
- a) In a village near Jiribam
- b) In the Barak river near Jirimukh
- c) In a hospital in Silchar
- d) On the banks of the Manipur river
Answer: b) In the Barak river near Jirimukh
- What action was taken after the bodies were discovered?
- a) They were buried immediately
- b) They were sent for autopsy at Silchar Medical College
- c) They were handed over to the family
- d) They were left at the scene
Answer: b) They were sent for autopsy at Silchar Medical College
- Who was leading the police team involved in the counteroffensive after the attack on CRPF posts?
- a) Inspector Sagapam Ibotombi Singh
- b) The Director General of Police
- c) The Chief Minister of Manipur
- d) A CRPF officer
Answer: a) Inspector Sagapam Ibotombi Singh
- What was the Kuki-Zo community’s stance on the deaths of the 10 “militants”?
- a) They claimed the militants were Hmar volunteers defending their villages
- b) They denied the attack ever took place
- c) They supported the action taken by security forces
- d) They were unaware of the incident
Answer: a) They claimed the militants were Hmar volunteers defending their villages
- What reason did Inspector Sagapam Ibotombi Singh give for his resignation?
- a) Health issues
- b) Political reasons
- c) Family circumstances and other reasons
- d) Disagreement with the security forces’ actions
Answer: c) Family circumstances and other reasons