The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended
a key suspect, the fifth, in the abduction and killing of two Meitei students
from Imphal three months ago from Pune.
The probe agency had arrested on October 1, two men
Paominlun Haokip and Smalsawm Haokip, and two women Lhingneichong Baitekuki and
Tinneilhing Henthang, all from the Kuki community, in connection with the incident,
which led to widespread protests in Manipur.
Identifying the suspect as 22 years old Paolun Mang, CBI
officers said he fled from Manipur after the crime and had been underground in
Pune.
They said he was arrested 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 interrogated 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 running
operations to nab the suspects, said its spokesperson after the central agency
took over the probe on the request of the Manipur Government.
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.
“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.
NE Watch Desk
