Horrific details have emerged from the autopsy reports of six members of a Meitei family, whose bodies were recovered from the Barak River in Manipur earlier this month. The victims, including a 10-month-old infant and an eight-year-old girl, were allegedly abducted and killed by Kuki-Zo militants in the Jiribam district, escalating tensions in the conflict-ridden region.
Gruesome Injuries Revealed
The autopsy reports from Silchar Medical College and Hospital revealed chilling injuries. A 10-month-old boy, Laishram Lamnganba, was found with both eyeballs missing and his head severely dislocated. His body showed signs of thawing and decomposition, with a chopping wound to the head. An eight-year-old girl, Telen Thajanganbi, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, with extensive internal injuries, particularly in the abdomen.
Among the adult victims, 31-year-old Telem Thoibi sustained bullet wounds, a crushed scalp, and significant skull damage, with membranes and tissues missing. Three-year-old Chingkheinganba Singh, another child, had a bullet wound in the skull, his right eye was missing, and his body displayed cut wounds and fractures.
Two other victims, 25-year-old L Heitonbi Devi and 60-year-old Y Rani Devi, also suffered grievous injuries. Heitonbi had three bullet wounds in her chest and one in her buttock, along with visible lacerations.
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Rani was shot five times, with wounds to her skull, chest, abdomen, and arm, accompanied by deep lacerations.
Torture and Burn Injuries
In addition to the family members, two other victims, Laisram Baren Meitei (64) and Maibam Kesho (71), were reportedly tortured. Baren’s body showed deep burns, with charred soft tissue, fragmented skull bones, and cooked internal organs. Kesho’s injuries included flame burns on his forearm and bruising with skin erosion on his buttock, highlighting the severity of their ordeal.
The victims, all from the Meitei community, had sought refuge in a relief camp in Jiribam but went missing following a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants on November 11. The clash reportedly resulted in the deaths of 10 militants. Days later, the bodies of the victims were found floating in the Barak River, which flows from Manipur to Assam.
Escalating Ethnic Violence in Manipur
The brutal killings have heightened ethnic tensions in Manipur, which has been marred by violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The incident has drawn nationwide attention, with calls for justice and stricter measures to curb the ongoing conflict. Investigations are underway, but the grim autopsy details have spotlighted the humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for peace and accountability.
This tragedy highlights the escalating violence in Manipur and the devastating toll it has taken on innocent lives. The nation waits for swift justice and a resolution to restore order in the troubled region.
