November 20, 2024: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has strongly condemned the killing of six individuals—three women and three children—whose bodies were discovered last week in Jiribam district. The victims are believed to have been abducted and murdered by suspected militants. In his first public statement since the incident, Singh vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

The bodies of the six victims were recovered from a river on November 16, four days after they went missing. According to authorities, the victims were among those displaced by the ongoing violence in the region. They had disappeared from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam following a gunfight on November 11 between militants and security forces. The clash, which resulted in the deaths of at least 10 insurgents, escalated tensions in the already volatile area.

In a heartfelt message posted on his official social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Singh condemned the killings, labeling them as a "crime against humanity."

"Today, I stand here with profound sadness and anger to condemn the horrific killings of three innocent children and three innocent women by Kuki terrorists after being taken hostage at Jiribam," Singh said. He referred to the perpetrators as "terrorists" and reaffirmed his commitment to bringing them to justice.

Singh also vowed that security forces were actively searching for the militants responsible for the atrocity. "Such barbaric acts have no place in any civilized society," he said. "Let me assure you that the hunt for these terrorists is currently underway and they will be brought to justice very soon. We will not rest until they are held accountable for their inhuman actions."

The killings have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from across the state and beyond. Human rights organizations and political leaders have called for an independent investigation into the incident, while local communities continue to reel from the impact of escalating violence in the region.

Manipur, which has long grappled with ethnic strife and insurgency, has seen a surge in violence in recent months, particularly between ethnic Meitei and Kuki groups. The state government has been under pressure to address the growing instability and ensure the safety of civilians amidst the ongoing conflict.

The Chief Minister's statement marks a significant response in the aftermath of the tragic deaths and has underscored the government's determination to seek justice for the victims. Security forces have reportedly intensified their operations in the region, while local leaders have called for an end to the violence and a return to peace.