3 of 4 missing villagers found dead, MR deputed at Sagang College

Imphal: In follow up action of the missing report of four persons at Haotak village, Bishnupur district in Manipur, a combined team of state and central forces have recovered three bodies at Haotak Phailen hill range on Thursday morning in a search operation conducted in the area.

The four missing persons were Oinam Romen Meitei, 45 son of Oinam Pishak Meitei of Akasoi ward no VII; Ahanthem Dara Meitei, 56, son of late A Apikchao Meitei of Akasoi Ward no VII; Thoudam Ibomcha Meitei, 53, son of late Th. Pangoi Meitei of Akasoi ward no VII and Thoudam Anand Meitei, 27 son of Th. Ibomcha Meitei of Akasoi Ward no VII. They went missing since Wednesday.

They, reportedly, went for firewood collection at the hill range.

A missing report was lodged at Kumbi Police station on the same day.

Police reported that the bodies other than Ahanthem Dara were recovered at around 9.30 am on Thursday morning at Haotak Phailen hill range. The bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue.

It was also reported that villagers of the area usually went for cutting woods in the area which falls under Bishnupur district but not at Kuki inhabited area.

Following the incident a team of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) went to meet the family members of the victims.

Coordinator of COCOMI, Jeetendra Ningomba told this reporter that the team have met the victim family members.

He was told by the Meira Paibi and locals of the area that nine bombs were fired at Haotak village. The bombs were reportedly fired from Laibung which is located at the foothill of Haotak Phailen hill range. He was also told that a team of central forces have been securing the area.

He was also told that a meeting will be conducted on Friday at Haotak to decide whether they will accept the bodies. The meeting will be participated by various civil society organisations along with locals of nearby villages.

Since November 23 last year women folks of the area have been protesting to withdraw central forces which is deputed in the area.

To secure the villagers the state government has deployed 110 personnel of 6th Manipur Rifles at Sagang college on Thursday.

Sources said combined team of state and central forces conducted search operation in the Haotak Phailen hill range. However, no traces of Ahanthem Dara is reported till the filing of this report.