Was not informed, says JNIMS Director
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 14 2023: The JNIMS Director has stated that he was caught unaware when 27 dead bodies were taken away from JNIMS morgue by security forces last night.

Speaking at a public meeting held today at Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai, JNIMS Director Dr L Deben said, "Although the dead bodies were removed under a Government policy, I was caught unaware as I did not get any prior information" .

The public meeting was jointly organised by Langthabal Kendra Clubs Coordinating Committee and Langthabal Kendra Meira Paibi Coordinating Committee.

"Although I am the Director (of JNIMS), I was not given any information regarding the plan to remove the dead bodies.

I came to know about the removal of dead bodies from the mortuary chowkidar at around 9.30 this morning", Dr Deben said.

"Moreover, the security forces did not give any document to the chowkidar before taking away the dead bodies nor did they ask the chowkidar to inform me", he said.

Dr Deben said that he came across social media posts last night which said that dead bodies lying in JNIMS morgue would be taken away but when JNIMS security personnel were sent to verify the report, they did not find any police or CAPF personnel in the vicinity of the morgue.

At around 6.30 pm, one fire tender of Manipur Fire Services was seen parked nearby.

On being enquired by JNIMS security, the Fire Service personnel replied that they were there for a confidential task.

"At around 2.30 am, there was no power supply in the surrounding areas of JNIMS but there were no disturbances or commotion.

As such I did not make any enquiry", the Director said.

The security forces came from the eastern side of JNIMS, not through the main gate, he said.

Dr Deben said that the dead bodies were put inside 27 coffins which were constructed out of his own money.

"At around 1.30 pm, the Imphal East SP informed me that four bodies brought from Churachandpur have reached Hqs IG AR (South), Mantripukhri.

Subsequently, ambulances were sent and the dead bodies were brought to JNIMS mortuary", he said.

Meanwhile, the Langthabal Kendra Clubs Coordinating Committee has lambasted the manner in which the dead bodies were sent to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi without informing the public.

"We welcome the Supreme Court's directive to give a decent and dignified burial to all the dead bodies", it said.

But considering the stealthy manner in which the dead bodies were taken out and sent to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, it would not be any exaggeration to say that the State Government is spineless and nothing more than a puppet, it alleged.

Even today, many individuals are missing.

In some of these missing cases, many suspects have been pulled up but the bodies could not be located till date, it pointed out.

It then expressed keen desire for the State Government to understand and act in line with public sentiment and pulse.

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