Guwahati: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a 22-year-old man, a key suspect in connection with the two missing Manipuri students who were believed to have been killed, from Maharashtra’s Pune on Thursday, officials said on Friday.
Paolunmang was produced before the court and took him to Guwahati to be produced before a court. The court has remanded him to the CBI custody till October 16, officials said.
On October 1, the CBI arrested four persons in connection with the case. The arrested accused were identified as Paominlun Haokip, S.Malsawm Haokip, Lhingneichong Baitekuki and Tinneilhing Henthang.
Two minors who accompanied the arrested accused persons during their transit from Imphal to Guwahati have been handed over to the Kamrup Metro district child protection officer for their welfare and protection
Hijam Linthoingami (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20) went missing on July 6 two months after violent ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur between the Meitei and the Kuki communities.
Photos of their bodies surfaced on September 25, leading to violent protests in Manipur’s capital Imphal.
In one of the photos, the two students are seen sitting next to each other while two armed men could be seen standing behind them. In another photo, their bodies are seen lying on the ground, with one of them beheaded.
The Manipur government had said that Hijam Linthoingami and Phijam Hemjit who had gone missing in July have been murdered and the case has been transferred to the CBI.
