Three More Bodies Recovered from Barak River

Update: Three dead bodies found later last night at the upstream of Barak River are yet to be identified as those of the missing Meitei inmates allegedly abducted from a relief camp. The confirmation from sources remain premature as official confirmation is awaited. The three bodies brought earlier yesterday evening have been identified as those of Meitei inmates missing at the camp.

In a chilling turn of events, the bodies of three more Meitei individuals have been recovered from the Barak River upstream near Jirimukh in Jiribam, Manipur. This confirms that all six abducted Meitei, including an eight-month-old child, have been brutally killed. The six abducted include Yurembam Rani Devi (60), Telam Thobi Devi (31), Telam Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (2.5), and Laishram Langamba Singh (8 months).

Locals believe the bodies were dumped in the river to send a chilling message highlighting the brutal killings. Three bodies were brought to SMCH at around 9:00 pm last night and then another three were brought in the wee hours of Saturday.

The abductions occurred amid escalating violence in the region, starting with the torching of 21 homes and the killing of a Hmar schoolteacher in Zairawn Hmar village on November 7, 2024.

As a retaliation, a shop owned by Meitei family was set ablaze and the escalating tension led to a gunfight between security forces and alleged Kuki militants near Jakuradhor, where 10 militants were killed. On the same night, the six Meitei residents, seeking refuge in a camp, were abducted.

SMCH, now under heavy security, has become the focal point of grief and anger as families await the formal identification of the victims. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense, with the Hmar and Meitei communities in Assam’s Cachar district on edge. Security forces continue to monitor the region to prevent any violence.

The bodies of 10 alleged Kuki militants, killed in the earlier clash, also remain at SMCH, awaiting DNA verification.