Manipur violence | CBI files chargesheet against nine accused in Naga woman abduction-killing case

CBI chargesheets nine accused in abduction, murder of Naga woman in Manipur amid ethnic conflict; further investigation underway.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed a chargesheet against nine accused persons, including five women, in a case related to the abduction and murder of a 55-year-old Naga woman in Manipur in July amid the ethnic conflict.

Officials said the chargesheet was filed before the Special CBI court concerned in Guwahati, where the case is set to be tried as per the directions of the Supreme Court. The CBI added that further investigation in the case is underway and refused to reveal the charges against the accused.

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The ethnic conflict in the State, underway since May 3, between the dominant Valley-based Meitei people and the hills-based Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zo people, has led to the deaths of at least 175 people so far, with thousands of others injured and tens of thousands internally displaced. 

At the height of the conflict, Lucy Marim Maring, from one of the Naga tribes – which have so far not been pulled into the conflict – was abducted allegedly by a mob of Meitei people in the Imphal Valley district on July 15. The woman, who was suffering from mental illness, was eventually shot and killed. In one of the videos that went viral on social media, armed men can be seen shooting at a body, said to be that of Ms. Maring. 

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As per the FIR registered by the Manipur Police in the incident, the woman was abducted by a mob of around 100 persons near the Sawombung Gate. Her body was recovered hours later. The local police had registered the case under IPC sections for murder, abduction and rioting, in addition to relevant sections of the Arms Act.