• Source:JND
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Hours after pictures of the bodies of two Meitei students from Manipur went viral on social media, the Manipur government asked people to exercise restraint and allow authorities to investigate the "kidnapping and killing" of the duo. In an official statement by the secretariat of Chief Minister N Biren Singh late on Monday night, the state government said the case has already been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"The state police, in collaboration with the central security agencies, are actively investigating the case to determine the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and to identify the perpetrators who murdered the two students. The security forces have also started the search operation to nab the perpetrators," the statement said.

Women burn effigies during a protest demanding restoration of peace in the north-eastern state of Manipur following ethnic violence in Imphal (Image Credits: ANI)

The government has also ensured people that "swift and decisive action will be taken against all those involved in the kidnapping and killing of Phijam Hemjit and Hijam Linthoingambi," according to the statement.

The administration requested people to "exercise restraint and to let the authorities handle the investigation".

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Meanwhile, the two students have been identified as Phijam Hemjit, 20 and Hijam Linthoingambi, 17. Earlier, a picture of the missing students surfaced on social media on Monday.

In one of the pictures, the duo can be seen with two armed men in the frame, while the other picture showed two bodies. Reportedly, the students went missing on July 6. The police had earlier stated that the whereabouts of the two were not known and their mobile phones were found switched off.

Over 175 people have been killed and several have been injured ever since clashes broke out in the state on May 3.

(With inputs from agency)