Families of 31 missing Meeteis urge for justice
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 02 2024: In a heart-wrenching plea for closure and justice, families of 31 people belonging to the Meetei community, whose whereabouts remain unknown since outbreak of the ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, urged the governments of India and Manipur, and the Kuki community as well to aid in the return of their loved ones or provide information about their fate.

In a joint press conference held in New Delhi on Thursday under the aegis of DEMAS, Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee, Global Manipur Federation, Karnataka Meitei Association, Meitei Yaipha Lup, Meitei Alliance, Meitei Diaspora in America, Meitei Heritage Society, NUPI, Souls Offered United for a Lustrated Society (SOUL), Team Meitei Personalities, and World Meitei Council, families members of the missing persons expressed hope that their loved ones would return home someday.

Addressing the media, Atom Kavita (47), wife of Atom Samarendra, a former journalist and IBSD employee missing since May 6, 2023 along with Yumkhaibam Kirankumar, recounted that her husband was among the first persons to have gone missing.

"I have performed the last rites as per our tradition by using Pangong tree (Flame of Forest) in place of his body.

However, the bitter truth is there is no closure and I can't find peace," she said.

"Deep in the corner of my heart, I still believe my husband is alive somewhere and I still long for his return because he had helped the Kukis during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Kuki villagers have deep respect and love for him.

I can't believe they would kill a person who helped them in their dire needs," she said.

Similarly, Phijam Ibungobi (63) said that the picture of his 20-year-old son Phi-jam Hemanjit's lifeless body along with Hijam Linthoun-gambi, a 17-year-old, surfaced on the social media at the end of September 2023 .

They both went missing from June 6, 2023.Joining the media briefing, Yaikhom Bidya (13), now an orphan, recalled that she along with her father Yaikhom Nanao (39) were fleeing from Moreh Ward No 9 on May 3, 2023 when a mob of gun-wielding Kuki militants attacked the minority Meetei colony in the border town.

"We were hiding in a bush.

It was night and dark.

I have never seen it," she said.

Ningthoujam Premlata (47), mother of Ningthoujam Anthony (19) who went missing since November 5, 2023 said, "It breaks my heart every day thinking how they would have tortured my son before killing him in their custody in cold blood.

He was not a security personnel or a village volunteer or involved in any violence.

He was just a young boy who unknowingly crossed the buffer zone during a joyride".

"Had the police and central security forces manned the buffer zone, he would have been with me today.

Even today, I hope that someone would call me saying my son has been found alive and that is why I always keep my mobile with me so that I don't miss a call," she said.

Maibam Devrani (42), mother of Maibam Avinash (16) missing since November 5, 2023 echoed the sentiments of many, pleading justice for her missing son.

Meanwhile, SOULS president RK Bijyalakshmi emphasised the importance of tracing the missing individuals to provide solace to their families and to hold perpetrators accountable.

She stressed the need for authorities to issue certificates declaring the missing persons as untraceable if their bodies remain undiscovered.

In their collective statement, the families also earnestly appealed for assistance in locating their loved ones, whether alive or deceased, to bring closure and peace to their grieving hearts.

They called upon the government of India, government of Manipur, and the Kuki community to facilitate the return of the missing individuals or provide information about their whereabouts.

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