Killing of two students in Manipur: CBI nabs suspect hiding in Pune

The accused has been identified as 22-year-old Paolun Mang and he is being questioned in connection with the abduction and murder of two Imphal residents in Manipur three months ago, an official said.

Security personnel stand guard during a protest against the killing of two youths who were allegedly kidnapped in July, in Imphal. (PTI)

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THE CENTRAL Bureau of Investigation has arrested from Pune a key suspect in the abduction and killing of two Meitei students from Imphal three months ago, which led to widespread protests in Manipur.

Identifying the suspect as Paolun Mang, 22, CBI officers said he fled from Manipur after the crime and had been hiding in Pune. They said he was nabbed on October 11 and produced before the designated court in Guwahati, which gave the probe agency his custody till October 16.

The suspect is being questioned by the CBI for further details in the case.

Hijam Linthoingami (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20), the two Meitei students, went missing on July 6 this year. Photos of their bodies surfaced on September 25, leading to a fresh round of protests in the state.

A team led by the CBI special director has been conducting operations to nab the suspects, officials said, adding that four people from the Kuki community, including two women, had earlier been arrested.

Identifying them as Paominlun Haokip, S Malsawn Haokip, Lhingneichong Baite and Tinneilhing Henthang, a CBI spokesperson said that after the central agency took over the probe on the request of the Manipur government two cases were registered on August 23.

Earlier, the father of the minor girl had filed a complaint with the Manipur Police, saying she did not return home from her coaching centre at the usual time.

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“On enquiry, they came to know that she left the coaching centre along with the 20-year-old on a motorbike. Next day, when her mother made a call on her mobile, the daughter responded but suddenly stopped. The mother allegedly heard a few words which were not in Meitei/Manipuri language but seemed to be a tribal dialect,” an officer said.

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