Guwahati: Three bodies suspected to be of six persons missing were found near the confluence of Jiri river and Barak river along Manipur-Assam border on Friday night.
The bodies were found around 16 km from Borobekra in Jiribam district on Friday night from where the six persons went missing since November 11 after the in-between Hmar militants & CRPF personnel where 10 suspected militants were killed.
Bodies Sent For Post-Mortem
According to police sources, the bodies were handed over to Assam Police and have been taken to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations. While preliminary information suggests the deceased might be the abducted women, officials have not yet confirmed this. "We can confirm only after the post-mortem report is available," said Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta over telephone from Silchar.
Assam Rifles Confirms The Discovery
An Assam Rifles spokesperson confirmed the discovery of the bodies but said that further clarity would come from the police. “Details can be obtained once investigations and identification processes are complete,” the spokesperson said.
About Militant Attack In The Borobekra Area
On November 11, a group of militants attacked a police station in the Borobekra area, but the assault was thwarted by security forces, resulting in the deaths of 10 militants. While retreating, the militants allegedly kidnapped three women and three children, all belonging to Meitei community, from a relief camp near the police station.
A massive search operation was underway to trace the missing persons.
The bodies are yet to be identified but it is suspected that the three bodies were of those of the six persons who went missing.
The bodies which were retrieved by Assam Rifles were taken to Silchar Medical College for identification and autopsy, they said.
Earlier, the Jiri United Committee (JUC) in Jiribam district had imposed a 48-hour general strike in the district demanding the safe release of the six missing persons.
Meanwhile, as news of the recovery of three bodies spread across Imphal Valley, tension rose in all five districts with state authorities declaring a holiday for schools and colleges for the day.