“If you are alive in this world, come to me, my son,” lamented Phijam Hemanjit’s mother, her voice breaking under the weight of insurmountable grief. Her words, a poignant testament to a mother’s refusal to accept her son’s demise, encapsulated the anguished year-long wait for his return. Even as Hemanjit was cremated on July 24th according to Meitei customs, with his body symbolically replaced by a “Pangong” tree plank at his birthplace in Takyel Kolom Leikai, Imphal West, she continued to hope against hope, her tears a river of sorrow and love.
Since the eruption of violence on May 3, 2023, the state of Manipur has been shrouded in a pall of mourning. Among the countless victims were two bright students, Phijam Hemanjit and Luwangbi Linthoingambi, whose sudden disappearance on July 6, 2023, plunged their families into a chasm of despair. Despite fervent protests and the desperate cries of their loved ones, the government’s response remained a hollow promise: “We are trying our best.”
Two months later, on September 23, haunting photographs of the missing teenagers surfaced online, searing their images into the collective consciousness of Manipur. The first picture, taken in a makeshift jungle camp of an armed group, showed Linthoingambi, helplessly looking at the camera with a palpable sense of impending doom, while Hemanjit, holding a backpack, gazed into the distance. Gunmen loomed ominously in the background. The second photograph was a gruesome tableau of their lifeless bodies, sprawled on the ground, a sight that continues to torment the hearts of many.
Their story is not an isolated tragedy. Ningthoujam Anthony (19) and Maibam Avinash (16) also vanished, leaving their mothers in a state of perpetual mourning, refusing to perform last rites until the government delivers their remains. The families of the missing, clinging to the faintest hope of their loved ones’ return, are denied the solace of closure, their hearts trapped in an endless cycle of anticipation and sorrow. Every sound at their gates rekindles the fragile hope that their sons or daughters might miraculously return.
The plight of Linthoingambi and Hemanjit, both promising students, resonated deeply within the academic community. The release of their photographs had ignited a wave of protests, with thousands of students taking to the streets, demanding justice and accountability. The government’s inertia only fueled the outrage, resulting in many students being injured during these fervent demonstrations.
As July month marked the first anniversary of their disappearance, the pain and loss experienced by the families of Hemanjit and Linthoingambi and other students continue to cast a long shadow over Manipur. The dream of a brighter future for these young students, once held dearly by their parents, now lies shattered, replaced by an unending struggle for justice and peace. The families of the missing’s fervent desire is for the authorities to pursue with unwavering vigor the tracing of the remains or whereabouts of their missing loved ones, a task that must be undertaken with utmost diligence by the security forces. Their deepest yearning is to perform the final rites, thereby attaining closure, and to see that justice is served with the perpetrators brought to account and duly punished.
In an exclusive interview with the Imphal Review of Arts and Politics, Kulajit Hijam, 57, Linthoingambi’s father, shared his family’s harrowing ordeal over the past year. His narrative, a mix of profound grief and righteous indignation, underscored the immense suffering endured by families in the absence of closure. He spoke with a dignified resolve, holding the government accountable for its catastrophic failures.
Amidst a sea of portraits of his beloved daughter, Kulajit sat on the carpet at his home in at Sagolband Tera Tongbram Leikai, his physical demeanor appearing robust, yet his eyes radiated an ineffable sorrow over his irreplaceable loss. When questioned about whether the Government of Manipur had ever offered even a modicum of positive response or assurance throughout their year-long ordeal of protests and pleas for justice and the retrieval of the body, his reply was stark and devoid of hope: “There was none.”
He continued, “The government’s actions have been disheartening and seemed more about theatrics than actually retrieving my daughter. During our meeting with the Central Bureau of Investigation, they deflected responsibility to the NIA, claiming it was they who had apprehended the accused. The true identity and relevance of those arrested remain dubious. Although several individuals were detained in connection with the case, it feels like the government staged a performance to deceive the public, reminiscent of previous ‘dramas’ they’ve orchestrated.
“When I approached law enforcement agencies, they informed me they had arrested a mother and her son but had failed to apprehend the husband, known as ‘Tiger.’ This man, indifferent to his own family’s plight, was reportedly involved in an affair with another woman. The authorities deemed his arrest pointless, stating he remains at large. The entire situation has been dramatized. These official statements, among other disheartening actions, have only deepened our despair.”
He continued, “The government’s actions have been disheartening and seemed more about theatrics than actually retrieving my daughter. During our meeting with the Central Bureau of Investigation, they deflected responsibility to the NIA, claiming it was they who had apprehended the accused. The true identity and relevance of those arrested remain dubious. Although several individuals were detained in connection with the case, it feels like the government staged a performance to deceive the public, reminiscent of previous ‘dramas’ they’ve orchestrated.
“When I approached law enforcement agencies, they informed me they had arrested a mother and her son but had failed to apprehend the husband, known as ‘Tiger.’ This man, indifferent to his own family’s plight, was reportedly involved in an affair with another woman. The authorities deemed his arrest pointless, stating he remains at large. The entire situation has been dramatized. These official statements, among other disheartening actions, have only deepened our despair.
“During school hours, when she would leave for school, the mornings when she would wake up, and the evenings when she would return, those moments have haunted us for the past year. We remain unable to process the loss and will likely carry this heart-wrenching grief for the rest of our lives.”
In accordance with Meitei tradition, if a family member’s last rites or shradha have not been performed following their death at home, the bereaved kin abstain from attending other ceremonial events. When asked if they have been experiencing such constraints since the unperformed last rites, he affirmed that the family has indeed been beset by these cultural restrictions. He elucidated: “We cannot even offer prayers or make offerings to God, not even on the death anniversary of my father. I am precluded from attending any event, even those held nearby by my neighbors or hosted by my sister and brother-in-law. I am barred from participating in any ritualistic, traditional, or customary events.
“My eldest son, the brother of Luwangbi Linthoingambi, attends events upon his teachers’ suggestion, to help him maintain focus on his studies. Yet, we are perpetually anxious about the judgments he might face from others,” Kulajit continued.
Given the pervasive violence that has infiltrated all sectors, Kulajit was asked about his views on the future prospects for students in Manipur, particularly in light of the catastrophic fate that befell his own daughter, and what he expects from the government and Chief Minister. He expressed profound disappointment, noting that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has never visited his home to offer condolences or inquire about their loss. He continued, “The Chief Minister is all talk and no action, and his empty promises have become the subject of ridicule, with people creating memes and jokes about his statements like ‘Watch My Action.’ He must either acknowledge his ineptitude or admit to his obliviousness. As a Chief Minister, a leader, he must make meaningful and responsible statements.”
When inquired about his perception of the public’s support in their quest for justice, both now and when the incident occurred a year ago, Kulajit responded that the empathy and support from the people are heartfelt. “I believe that people are deeply moved by our plight and are striving to alleviate our suffering. The public is doing their utmost to secure justice. Manipur has endured numerous calamities, from floods to arson perpetrated by rival communities, and even deaths in the ongoing conflict. Violence has ceased momentarily but has spread to districts like Jiribam. The law and order situation remains dire. Recently, I learned about new atrocities, including videos showing Meitei houses in Churachandpur being demolished with explosives. This prompts me to question the government’s presence and the role of the army in Manipur. Despite numerous attacks in areas like Koutruk, the government has provided no clarity, and there are suspicions that the bombs are of military origin. The Budget 2024 announcement glaringly omitted any mention of the displaced people or the catastrophic floods in Manipur. The public is well aware of the government’s apathy.”
Kulajit expressed that the people’s support for his and Linthoingambi’s quest for justice remains unwavering. He confidently stated, “The public still holds us, and Linthoingambi, in their hearts. They keep calling me, urging not to perform the last rites without the government retrieving the body. This solidarity is a profound form of support. Posters of my daughter have been plastered not only across Manipur but on numerous national and international platforms. These efforts are driven by thousands of supporters, not by me alone.”
When asked if he believes political leaders will emerge to advocate for the people of Manipur, especially those with missing loved ones, following the recent Lok Sabha election results, he replied, “There is a saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God. Since the politicians ignored this voice, which is divine, it is no wonder the BJP failed to secure any seats. When the horrifying incident of the naked parade occurred during the violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke out, but he remained silent about my Linthoingambi and the welfare of the people for over 14 months. This is despite his ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ slogan. The Budget 2024 and Narendra Modi’s persistent neglect over the past fourteen months have made it abundantly clear that the government is indifferent to the plight of students and their future.”
Kulajit’s statements represent merely the tip of the iceberg, barely hinting at the profound sorrows and excruciating pain endured over the past year by families whose loved ones have vanished amidst the ongoing conflict. Despite the rational part of their minds accepting the grim possibility that their missing kin may never return, their hearts remain in relentless turmoil, unable to relinquish the fragile hope of a miraculous reunion. These families linger in agonizing anticipation, their hopes for a government intervention dwindling into an abyss of despair and disillusionment. The palpable absence of decisive action and empathy from the authorities only deepens their wounds, leaving them stranded in an unending cycle of grief and helpless yearning.
The government’s neglect and inefficacy have been glaringly evident. Kulajit’s critique highlights a systemic failure to address not only individual tragedies but also the broader crisis affecting Manipur. The Chief Minister’s reluctance to engage with grieving families and the Prime Minister’s selective silence undermine the trust and confidence of the populace. The people of Manipur deserve a government that listens, acts, and prioritizes their well-being. It is high time for the leadership to rise to the occasion, demonstrate genuine empathy, and commit to meaningful actions that pave the way for justice and healing.
Fourteen months is an inordinate length of time to address and resolve an issue, especially one of such profound gravity, rather than perpetually professing efforts are underway. The government must furnish the public with unequivocal assurances of its competence and commitment to tangible action. Simply sitting idle and issuing grandiose media statements will not suffice to extinguish the flames of unrest and grief. The student community, along with numerous other critical sectors, has borne the brunt of this crisis. It is incumbent upon the government to promptly and effectively address these pressing issues to propel the state of Manipur towards a semblance of stability and progress. Time is of the essence, and decisive, compassionate leadership is imperative.
The writer is a media scholar and professional
