Imphal, Dec 15 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, expressed his strong disapproval on Sunday night regarding the murder of two migrant workers from Bihar that took place in Kakching district on Saturday. He declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each victim.

Singh, who also oversees the home department, stated in a post on X: “I absolutely condemn the heinous murder of young brothers, Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17), from Bihar in Kakching district, Manipur. This act of violence is a blatant attack on our principles, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to their mourning families.”

He further mentioned that at this critical moment, “we cannot disregard the possibility that this dreadful act is part of a broader scheme aimed at destabilizing our state and plunging it into further disorder. We must unite against these malevolent elements and ensure they do not succeed in instilling fear and insecurity.”

A compensation of Rs 10 lakh will be extended to each bereaved family, with all necessary measures being taken to identify, apprehend, and bring to justice those accountable, confirmed the Chief Minister.

He added: “Should it be necessary, the case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to guarantee a comprehensive and impartial investigation.”

On Saturday evening, unidentified armed attackers in Manipur's Kakching district shot and killed the two migrant workers near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road while the victims were riding their bicycles with a few others.

Authorities have yet to ascertain the identities of the assailants.

The deceased have been identified as Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17), both residing in Rajwahi village, which falls under the Yadavpur police station area in Gopalganj district, Bihar.

They were working in construction and had been living in a rented space in Kakching.

Security forces are continuing their search operation to capture the attackers.

Previously, migrant workers, particularly from Bihar, have faced numerous attacks in Manipur.