Imphal, April 11 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, emphasized on Saturday that ensuring the well-being of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have been impacted by ethnic violence is of utmost importance to the government.

During his visit to the Akampat Relief Camp in Imphal, the Chief Minister personally met the grieving family of an eight-year-old girl who went missing on April 5 and was tragically discovered deceased the following day under the Singjamei bridge along the Imphal River.

In a show of support, Singh provided an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the young victim, accompanied by Imphal East's Deputy Commissioner, Nivedita Lairenlakpam.

Extending his sincere condolences, the Chief Minister conveyed his empathy for the family's suffering and assured them of comprehensive assistance, promising that justice would be served swiftly.

While addressing the residents at the Akampat Relief Camp, Singh reaffirmed the government's commitment to prioritize the welfare of IDPs.

Following the visit, he shared on his X account that he had engaged with the distraught parents and relatives of the young girl, expressing his sympathies and offering support during this challenging time.

He informed that after attentively hearing their concerns, he instructed relevant officials to take prompt actions to resolve these issues. He committed to implementing focused measures aimed at alleviating their difficulties and ensuring that rehabilitation and resettlement efforts are carried out efficiently and promptly.

Singh stressed that the government is devoted to standing by every affected family, safeguarding their dignity, security, and hope for the future.

A police spokesperson previously stated that the girl had disappeared from the Akampat Relief Camp in Imphal East on April 5. Her remains were recovered the next day, April 6, from beneath the Singjamei bridge along the Imphal River. A suspect has been arrested in relation to the case and is currently in police custody as confirmed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal East.

The young girl and her family, originally from Moreh in Tengnoupal district, had taken refuge at the Akampat Relief Camp following the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state in May 2023.

The victim's family had promptly reported her disappearance to the Irilbung Police Station, which triggered an immediate search operation.

IDPs and local volunteers joined forces to locate the missing child. Police units from both Imphal East and Imphal West conducted a coordinated search under the oversight of senior officers.

Investigators obtained CCTV footage from nearby locations that aided in identifying the suspect.

The individual arrested, identified as Laishram Langamba (28), was also residing in the same relief camp after the ethnic violence erupted in May 2023.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the abduction, rape, and murder of the child, before disposing of her body beneath the bridge.

According to a police official, "Based on Laishram Langamba's disclosure, the victim's body was retrieved from under the Singjamei bridge along the Imphal River. Initial evidence suggests a case of rape and murder."

The incident has heightened tensions in Imphal, prompting a significant number of IDPs to protest outside the Irilbung Police Station in Imphal East, demanding severe punishment for the accused. In response, security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

A five-member delegation representing the protesters subsequently met with police officials, who assured them that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that necessary legal actions would proceed on a fast-track basis.

Further investigations are currently ongoing.

sc/dan