Linthoingambi's family still awaiting justice
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 24 2024: Hijam Kulajit, father of Linthoingambi Hijam, expressed deep anguish and frustration as more than a year has passed since his daughter went missing.

Linthoingambi went missing on July 6 last year, and despite the family 's relentless pursuit of information, they remain in the dark about her fate.

"We are waiting for her, without any information, clue, or justice.

How long will we have to wait?" asked a heartbroken Kulajit.

His daughter had participated in a painting competition organised by the government in 2022, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under the theme 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,' a scheme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She was nominated by TG Higher Secondary School for the competition.

Yet, Kulajit lamented, the government has failed to trace his daughter's whereabouts, despite promoting such schemes for the welfare of daughters.

With palpable discontentment, Kulajit criticised the lack of attention from the authorities.

"The chief minister has not even come to enquire or console the family, though it has been more than a year.

It seems the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has no place for my daughter, as if my daughter was not a daughter of this country and this state," he said.

Interacting with the media at their residence, Kulajit said that they had approached the government and security agencies multiple times but to no avail.

On September 25 last year, photos of Linthoingambi and her friend Phijam Hemanjit went viral on social media, purportedly showing the two in the custody of Kuki militants, both alive and then deceased.

The photos sparked widespread outrage and intense agitation by students, many of whom were injured in crackdown by security forces during protests.

From that day forward, Kulajit said, his daughter became known as "the people's daughter".

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the family has refused to conduct last rites without definitive proof of their daughter's fate.

They have decided to consult the public before making any decisions regarding her final rites.

Since her disappearance, they have abstained from attending ceremonies of friends and relatives, living on a single meal a day, hoping for justice for Linthoingambi.

Kulajit pleaded for the government to provide a deadline for definitive clues about his daughter.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four main suspects in the case on December 31 last year: Paoboi Singson (33), son of Lamjaohao Singson from Churachandpur district, Daniel Laljathang Baite (20), son of Onmang Baite of Bongmol, Genkhopao Haokip (24), son of Seikhojang Haokip of S Toljang Tuibong, and Augustine Seikholal Haokip (23), son of Satkhwawthang Haokip of M Sanggel village.

However, despite these arrests, the CBI has not been able to trace the whereabouts of the two students.

The agency cited the lack of adequate security and cooperation from the village chief and villagers as obstacles in entering the suspected location.

Kulajit condemned this excuse, calling it a clear indication of incompetence from the country's top investigating agency.

As one year has already passed since her disappearance, the family continues to wait in anguish, hoping for a resolution and justice for Linthoingambi.

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