An eight-year-old internally displaced persons (IDP) girl, who had gone missing from Akampat Relief Camp in Imphal East district on Sunday evening, was found dead early Monday beneath Singjamei Bridge along the Imphal River. Police have arrested one person in connection with the case. And he has been remanded in police custody for 5 days after producing before the CJM Imphal East.
The minor, originally from Moreh Ward No. 9 and currently residing at the relief camp, was reported missing by her family at Irilbung Police Station between 7 pm and 7:30 pm on Sunday. A search operation was launched immediately, with IDPs and local residents joining efforts to trace the child.
Police teams from Imphal East and Imphal West districts conducted a coordinated search under the supervision of senior officers. CCTV footage collected from nearby areas led to the identification of a suspect.
The accused, Laishram Langamba (28), son of L. Birsingh of Moreh Khunou Leikai, was detained and later taken into custody. Police stated that he had also been residing at the same relief camp following the violence of May 3, 2023. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to abducting, raping and killing the child, and disposing of the body beneath the bridge. Laishram Langamba was btoday produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East, and remanded to police custody for five days for further investigation.
“Based on his disclosure, the body was recovered from the indicated location in the early hours. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of rape and murder. The accused is in custody and legal proceedings have been initiated,” a senior police officer said.
The body has been sent to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences for autopsy.
The incident triggered tension in the area, with a large number of IDPs staging a protest outside Irilbung Police Station around 11 am, demanding stringent punishment for the accused. The situation briefly turned volatile, prompting security personnel to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Earlier in the day, an agitated mob allegedly vandalised the room of the accused and later marched to the police station, demanding that he be handed over. Police brought the situation under control.
A five-member team representing the protesters later met police officials, who assured that a thorough investigation would be carried out and necessary legal action taken.
Further investigation is underway.