One arrested for tribal farmer’s murder in Manipur
Imphal: Manipur police arrested a 53-year-old man on charge of killing a tribal farmer and remanded him into judicial custody till July 24, a police press statement said on Friday.
Khangembam Sanaton alias Sanatomba Singh (53) has been arrested for the killing of a 45-year-old farmer Merangir Mechek, belonging to the Chiru (Naga) community, the smallest indigenous tribe in Manipur.
Merangir Mechek of Kangchup Chiru village in Imphal West district died on July 15 night after he was abducted and physically assaulted by the proscribed underground group members.
Kangleipak Community Party — People’s War Group (KCP-PWG) MC Unification, in a press release conveyed solidarity to the bereaved family and also made a solemn pledge to all the Chiru people that they would do everything to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on his social media states that a suspected individual involved in the murder of Merangir Mechek has been apprehended and we are working to ensure that all others involved in this heinous act will be brought to justice and punished accordingly.
Meanwhile, family members and locals have claimed the body of Merangir Mechek from RIMS mortuary on Thursday.
Earlier, a Joint Action Committee formed due to the killing announced not to claim the body of the killed man until the perpetrators are arrested.
The body has been claimed after the Manipur chief minister, representatives of the United Naga Council, and Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, the apex bodies of the Nagas and Meiteis held a meeting at the CM’s office.
Manipur CM in his X post added, “This unfortunate incident has been resolved with the support and cooperation of COCOMI and UNC.”