Manipur: No breakthrough yet in Seigunlal’s killing; family members refuse to claim body, seeks clarity over NRFM’s ‘drug seller’ accusation

More than 72-hours have passed by, but no breakthrough has been achieved in the killing of Seigunlal Misao, a 17-year old youth from Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Meanwhile, the situation over the killing of the Class 12 student is yet to pacify.

In a new turn of events, the family members of the deceased have refused to claim the body over the accusation levelled by rebel group National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM) against Seigunlal Misao.
The NRFM had claimed that it was behind Seigunlal’s killing alleging that the teenager was involved in drugs trade and despite several warnings by the outfit, Seigunlal did not give up selling drugs.

Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Seikholun Misao, cousin of Seigunlal Misao, outrightly rejected the accusations levelled by the NRFM against Seigunlal Misao. Seigunlal’s cousin said,”Yesterday after meeting the Honourable Chief Minister, the family decided to claim the dead body after the post-mortem. But when we reached home, suddenly a new development came up. Some outlawed organisation had claimed that he was a drug peddler which we strongly deny.”

Citing that Seigunlal was still a juvenile, his cousin questioned as to how the NRFM could level such allegations without any proof.

Seikholun Misao said, “You have seen his living conditions, and he is still a juvenile. How can they claim without any proof?”

According to the kin, Seigunlal should have been given a chance to rectify. Killing someone is an act that against human rights, said Seigunlal’s cousin.

The kin added,”Even if he had committed any mistake, since he is a juvenile, they should have given a chance to rectify. Just giving a direct punishment, it is actually against human rights. So I as an elder brother of Late Seigunlal strongly oppose this allegation. This is really unfounded.”

Meanwhile, family members of Seigunlal Misao have clearly stated that until and unless there is clarity, they will not claim the body.

On Sunday, the Joint Action Committee to ensure justice for Misao, had met Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh seeking justice. Soon after the meeting the JAC had informed, that Chief Minister N Biren Singh had assured them action and said that arrests would be made in the next few days in connection with the killing.

Speaking to Northeast Live after the JAC’s meeting with the CM, JAC convenor Paiminlun Lhouvum also informed that the blockade of National Highway 2 was been lifted for the time being. However, the JAC had warned that if the police fail to act in the next 2-3 days, they would start their agitation seeking justice.

The JAC was set up to ensure justice for young Misao.

Earlier, massive protests were witnessed in Manipur and the National Highway No 2 or the Trans Asian Highway was blocked over the killing of Misao, a student at Motbung Model Village.

Misao (17), was appearing in the ongoing Higher Secondary Examination. He was shot dead by unknown miscreants Saturday evening, a few metres away from his residence when he was on his way home after dropping off a friend in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.