Photos confirm killing of missing duo: CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 27 2023:
Chief minister N Biren has said that photos circulating on the social media since the past few days confirm killing of missing students Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi and strongly condemned the brutal killing.
Terming the killing of the two students as heinous crime, the chief minister said all the culprits involved in the crime would not be spared and stringent action would be taken against them as per law.
Addressing media persons at CM secretariat Wednesday, CM Biren said investigation into the killing of the two students missing since July 6 had already been handed over to CBI on August 28 .
A special team of the central investigating agency led by special director Ajay Bhatnagar along with five other officials reached the state Wednesday and has started investigation, he said.
According to CM Biren, the special CBI team visited some spots where the incident might have happened and begun spot investigation and would be meeting them when they return.
Immediately after photos of the two missing students went viral, the matter was apprised to Union home minister Amit Shah and he took the matter seriously, Biren said and appealed people of the state to have trust in seriousness taken by the government regarding the case.
Government knew that large number of people particularly students are on the streets at different places out of emotion and anger after seeing the viral photographs of the two students, Biren said and appealed to the people to exercise maximum restraint and give CBI some time.
Government is minutely monitoring action of security forces against the protestors particularly students and would initiate disciplinary action against security personnel exceeding constitutional mandate, he said and expressed regret over casualties suffered in action of security forces.
He also instructed security forces to exercise restraint while controlling the mob and appealed people to stage peaceful democratic protest instead of violent agitation.
While seeking support and cooperation of the public in handling the current crisis and restoring peace in the state, the chief minister said government held talk with leaders of different student organisations and reached an understanding regarding the present students' protest.
The DGP has been asked to furnish report of the viral video in which central security forces were seen badly thrashing students and how and why Indian army personnel were deployed in the area would be known after getting the report from the DGP, he said and assured that befitting action would be initiated against guilty security personnel as per law.
Clarifying on the fake news spread through social media about extension of 'disturbed area', the chief minister said the order issued for extension of AFSPA excludes areas covered under 19 police stations and people should not be confused by the order.
In addition to 25 companies of Central forces and two companies of Rapid Action Force already deployed in 23 places of Churachandpur district to enforce law and order, three more companies of Central forces will be deployed in Behiang area of the district, Biren said while maintaining that state government is in continuous contact with the Union home minister and both the Centre and state government are taking all steps to restore peace under the supervision of Prime Minister and Union home minister.
Works minister Govindas Konthoujam, water resources Awangbow Newmai, Information and Public Relations minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, transport minister Khasim Vashum, Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykisan, Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti and chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi also attended the press conference.