The CBI’s special investigation team has arrested a 22-year-old man named Paolunmang from Pune in connection with the abduction and purported killing of two Meitei students.
The man, who was arrested on Wednesday, is suspected to be the mastermind of the kidnapping and killing of the two youths. He was taken to Guwahati and be produced before a court which has sent him to CBI custody till October 16, officials said.
The CBI suspects Paolunmang to be the mastermind in the case. Earlier, the CBI had arrested two men, Paominlun Haokip and Smalsawm Haokip, and two women, Lhingneichong Baitekuki and Tinneilhing Henthang, on October 1 in connection with the case.
Phijam Hemanjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17) had gone missing on July 6. Photos purportedly showing their bodies surfaced on social media on September 25, leading to students-led mass violent protests.
Protesters had torched government vehicles and houses of officials. An angry mob had even tried to attack the ancestral house of Chief Minister Biren Singh which was foiled by security forces.
Anticipating the protests and violence, the State government lost no time in handing over the case to the CBI and the Centre appointing Ajay Bhatnagar as the head of the SIT to nab the culprits.
Nearly 200 people have lost their lives, hundreds got injured and thousands have been rendered homeless ever since ethnic clashes broke out between the Meiteis and Kukis on May 3 over the issue of ST reservation to the former.
