1. The body of a fourth missing man was discovered on January 13.
2. Found in Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Ching.
3. Suspected murder with bullet injuries by armed miscreants.
Imphal, Jan 14: The body of the fourth man, who went missing along with three others while collecting firewood in Manipur’s Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Ching, was discovered on January 13.
The body, showing signs of bullet injuries, is suspected to be a victim of murder by armed miscreants.
This grim development follows the earlier recovery of three bullet-riddled bodies in the same area, indicating a tragic incident involving the missing individuals.
Thoudam Ibomcha (51), his son Thoudam Anand (20), Oinam Romen (38), and Ahanthem Dara (55) ventured out to collect firewood from Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Ching on January 10.
When they did not return home that day, concerns arose about their safety, leading to suspicions of their possible capture or murder by armed miscreants.
A search party discovered the bullet-riddled bodies of Ibomcha, Anand, and Romen on January 11 in Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Ching.
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However, Ahanthem Dara remained unaccounted for. A tracking operation involving State and Central armed security personnel was initiated on January 11 to locate Dara.
On January 13, around 11 am, the lifeless body of Dara was found at Wangoo Sabal Maning Meichakpi Ching, displaying bullet injuries, including marks on his left thigh and left temple.
The body was evacuated to RIMS mortuary in Imphal for post-mortem examination.
The state police, in a press release on Thursday evening, had stated, “On 11.01.2024, security forces recovered 03 (three) dead bodies of the 04 (four) persons who reportedly went missing at Haotak Mapalok Ching, Bishnupur District on 10.01.2024. Security forces are carrying out hectic efforts to search for the other missing person and to flush out armed miscreants from the area.”
It is essential to note that Manipur has experienced ethnic conflicts since the first week of May, resulting in over 180 casualties and the displacement of nearly 60,000 people. The recent tragic incident adds to the complex challenges faced by the region.
