The bodies of eight Meitei hostages, including women and children, were handed over to their families today on November 22, following an extended wait for forensic and procedural clearances. The bodies were retrieved from Assam’s Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), where they had been awaiting examination.

The deceased were identified as Yurembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Debi (31), Laisram Heitombi Devi (25), Telem Thajmanbi Devi (8), Laisram Chingkheiganba Singh (2.5), Laisram Langamba Singh (8 months), Laisram Baren Maitri (60), and Maibam Kesho (7).

Six people – three women and three children – belonging to the Meitei community had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam after a gunfight broke out between CRPF and Kuki militants on November 11. The security forces killed 10 militants in retaliatory firing.

People from the Meitei community arrived at the premises of the hospital to take the bodies home in Manipur.

Earlier on Thursday (November 21), a Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing the families of the eight Meitei victims in Jiribam, including six women and children killed in captivity, reached an agreement with the Government of Manipur (GOM).

The families decided to accept the bodies and conduct the last rites today, following key assurances from Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The state government has assured the JAC that the case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a comprehensive investigation into the killings.

 The killings of the abductees have sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice across Manipur.