Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUN 11: The post-mortem examination of the six murdered Naga men was conducted at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal, on Thursday after a prolonged and difficult identification process, as the bodies were highly mutilated and in an advanced state of decomposition.
The bodies of the six missing persons, recovered during a security operation in Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, were brought to Imphal late that night. Family members identified the bodies, though the process took considerable time as the remains had been recovered separately and were severely decomposed.
Officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with state police personnel, visited the mortuary and conducted examinations as part of the investigation. The agency carried out forensic procedures and evidence collection to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
IG Manipur Police, Ningshen Worngam, told the media that identification was challenging due to the condition and location of the recovered remains. He also informed that the case would be handed over to the NIA for further investigation.
State home minister Govindas Konthoujam, former chief minister N. Biren Singh, NPF legislators and senior police officials visited the mortuary and met the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, the situation at the JNIMS mortuary complex remained calm on Thursday, a day after clashes erupted when the bodies arrived.
Security forces had resorted to firing tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse an agitated crowd, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including police personnel. The unrest also caused damage to hospital property and affected patients after tear gas smoke entered some wards.
In a related development, the NPF Manipur unit office at Senapati district headquarters was vandalised by an angry mob hours after the recovery of the bodies. Reports said the office was attacked amid widespread grief and outrage over the killing of the six men. The premises were left damaged as tensions continued to run high in the district.