NEW DELHI, 2 Jan: The CBI has filed two separate chargesheets against five accused in connection with the case of two missing Manipuri students who were feared killed during ethnic violence in the state, officials said on Tuesday.
Photos purportedly showing their bodies surfaced on 25 September, 2023, leading to violent protests, mainly by students. The CBI, however, is yet to find the bodies.
The agency filed the chargesheets in the interconnected cases before a designated special court in Kamrup, giving a sequence of events before they went missing.
The agency said that, on 6 July, 2023, the boy went to the tuition class of the girl and, after picking her up on his bike, proceeded towards Bishnupur, and from there to the Thas viewpoint area on the old Cachar road.
They were intercepted by a group of people and held captive by the five chargesheeted accused, who forcibly put them in a vehicle and took them to an undisclosed location, where they were “suspectedly killed,” the CBI spokesperson said.
Among the five chargesheeted accused, Paolunmang was arrested from Pune, Paominlun Haokip, Smalsawm Haokip and Lhingneichong Baitekuki were nabbed from Henglep area of Churachandpur district, and Nohgin Baitekuki remains on the run.
The parents of the missing teenagers had filed FIRs with the Imphal police and the Lamphel police on 8 and 19 July, respectively.
The father of the girl had alleged that his daughter might have been kidnapped with the intention of getting married, while the boy’s father had apprehended the kidnapping of his son.
“The CBI has filed chargesheets in both cases against the five accused. Further investigation is continuing,” the spokesperson said. (PTI)
