NIA probe in Jiribam killing of six women and children continues, two nabbed

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a second consecutive arrest in the 2024 brutal Jiribam killings case.A statement by NIA said, “NIA caught Lalrosang Hmar Rosang, of Village Moinathol, Dilkhosh Grant Cachar, Assam, from Aizawl, Mizoram on July 31.”he arrest came close on the heels of the arrest of another accused, Thanglienlal Hmar by a joint NIA-Assam police team on the same day from Aizawl.Three women and three children were abducted and brutally murdered by militants in the Borebekra area of Jiribam District of Manipur on 11 November, 2024.

Like Thanglienlal, Lalrosang was also an active conspirator in the heinous crime. NIA has recovered from him a mobile phone, along with a SIM card, and is examining the same as part of its continuing investigation in the case RC-15/2024/NIA/IMP.

The horrific incident had sent shockwaves throughout the world. The victims, including a ten-month-old baby, all Meitei, were abducted and murdered by suspected Kuki Hmar militants. Their bodies were later disposed of in the Barak river. The postmortem reports of the deceased revealed the gruesome murder of the women and children.

The victims, who were living at a relief camp in Borobekra, Jiribam district, as their houses were destroyed by Kuki militants, were abducted when the men had gone for work.The hostages, who included a 60-year-old woman, a 30-year-old woman and her eight-year-old daughter, a 25-year-old woman, her 2 and half years old son, and a 10 monthold infant, were reportedly tortured and raped for several days before their bodies were disposed off at the river on November15 and 16, 2024.

Jiribam district was largely peaceful in spite of the crisis the state has been facing since 3 May 2023, which started in Churachandpur district with the burning of government offices and the burning and killing of people belonging to a particular community. A backlash from the affected community resulted in the death of over 270 people and the displacement of 60000 people.31 people, including a former journalist who entered the Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, are still reported missing. Jiribam district, bordering Assam, has a mixed population of Meitei, Manipuri Muslim, Bengali Muslim, Naga, Hmar etc.

Kuki militants from neighbouring Churachandpur district to control the highway passing through Jiribam repeatedly attacked convoys and burnt houses belonging to a particular community.A BSF jawan also died in the attack. When Kuki militants attacked a CRPF post in November at Jiribam, ten Kuki militants died. The Manipur High Court had recently asked the NIA to file a charge sheet in the case.(UNI)<>