Protest rally demanding whereabouts of 2 missing teenagers held in Manipur

IMPHAL — A large number of people including women folks from Patsoi assembly constituency in Manipur on Tuesday staged a protest rally demanding to find out the whereabouts of two missing teenagers.

The rally that started after staging a sit-in at Takyel Kolom Leikai community hall under the aegis of Apunba Tenbang Lup-an apex body of 47 clubs of Patsoi Assembly Constituency were stopped and prevented by police at Tera Keithel area. Following which some of the representatives were allowed to submit memorandum to the state Chief Minister and Governor separately.

Speaking to reporters on the sideline of the rally, one Ngasepam Bimola said that the people want peace and said that the government of India should immediately intervene otherwise the people will continue to suffer.

A lady protestor told the media that, two teenagers – Luwangbi Linthoignambi Hijam (17) daughter of Kulajit Singh of Sagolband Tera Tongbram Leikai and Phijam Hemanjit Singh (17) son of Ibungo Singh of Takyel Kolom Leikai both under Imphal West, have been missing since July 6 after they went out for a ride from a tuition centre.

Manipur had been witnessing ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since May 3 onwards in which around 150 people were killed and nearly 50,000 people were displaced besides burning many villages.

There are also reports that the whereabouts of many missing persons, mostly young ones in the on-going crisis, are yet to be established.