Missing boys' last rites performed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 23 2025: With all hopes of rescue lost and completely disappointed with the Government's abject failure to trace even their bodies, the last rites of Maibam Avinash and Ningthoujam Anthony were performed today with Pangong replicas.

Maibam Avinash and Ningthoujam Anthony, both students hailing from Akham Awang Leikai disappeared without any trace after they lost their way and moved toward Kangpokpi on November 5, 2023 .

A large number of people including Meira Paibis, representatives of different organisations and members of Arambai Tenggol paid their last respect to the two missing students who are presumed dead as the last rites were held today at their native village Akham Awang Leikai.

JAC Against the Missing of Maibam Avinash and Ningthoujam Anthony senior member Chongtham Basanta said that the young students are suspected to have been captured, tortured and murdered mercilessly by Kuki militants and their supporters.

But the JAC was not holding the last rites for a long time hoping that the Government would at least find a few pieces of skeletons of the two students.

Forget about rescuing the students, the Government could not find even a piece of skeleton, he decried.

Considering the despair and unending suffering of the two families, the JAC and the bereaved families decided to perform the last rites with Pangong replicas, Basanta said.

Informing that the Mangani Leihun rituals would be held on March 27, he appealed to all Meira Paibi organisations, CSOs, student bodies, local clubs and well-wishers to attend the ceremony.

He also appealed to the Government to extend all possible assistance to the two bereaved families.

At the same time, the Government must ensure that justice is done to the two bereaved families by pulling up all those people involved in the gruesome murder and awarding them exemplary punishment, he added.

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