Behind them, about four men with guns are clearly visible.
Hundreds of students protested in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, against the brutal murder of two students.
The protestors tried to march towards Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s residence, prompting security forces to use tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd.
Several students were injured during the clash and rushed to hospital.
The outrage comes after pictures of the two students’ bodies circulated on social media, shortly after mobile internet was restored in Manipur following an almost five-month ban.
Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam, aged 17, and 20-year-old Phijam Hemanjit Singh went missing during the height of the Manipur violence in July 2023.
Disturbing images showed the two students sitting in fear in what appears to be a makeshift camp.
Luwangbi is in a white T-shirt while Hemanjit, holding a backpack and in a checked shirt, looks on.
Behind them, about four men with guns are clearly visible.
The second photo shows their dead bodies slumped on the ground.
The photos were dated July 8, two days after they reportedly went missing.
Hemanjit’s father Ibungobi Singh said:
“Today [September 25], around 3:30 pm, a few people and local media came to us with a few photographs.
“Our entire family broke down upon seeing those pictures. I still can’t believe that his life ended like this.”
Investigators are also looking into rape allegations before Luwangbi was murdered.
Meanwhile, the Manipur government has asked people to exercise restraint and allow authorities to investigate the kidnapping and killing of the duo.
In a statement issued by the secretariat of Chief Minister N Biren Singh late on September 25, the state government said the case has already been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The violence in Manipur was sparked by the Kuki and Meiteis ethnic groups, which have been going on since May 3, 2023.
It was caused by resentment over economic benefits and quotas in government jobs and education reserved for hill people.
According to the European Parliament, the violence has “left at least 120 people dead, 50,000 displaced and over 1,700 houses and 250 churches destroyed” in Manipur, which is governed by the BJP.
During the violence, one of the most talked-about incidents involved two women being paraded naked by a mob.
A case was reportedly registered against “800-1,000 unknown miscreants”.
Disturbing footage online showed “scores of young men can be seen walking alongside [them] as other men drag the distressed-looking women into the fields”.
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