Imphal: A 23-year-old woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances after her body was discovered hanging inside her shop at Mayang Imphal Bazar in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Lourembam Ongbi Manda Devi, originally a resident of Heirok Part-3, Inganglok, in Thoubal district. She was married to L. Kiyamba of Mayang Imphal Mayai Leikai.
Reports indicated that family members discovered her body hanging inside the premises at approximately 11:45 am. She was immediately rushed to SAS Hospital in Mayang Imphal, where attending doctors declared her brought dead.
The incident has triggered massive public outrage, leading to the mobilisation of local clubs, Meira Paibis and residents from her hometown.
A mass public meeting was held on Friday morning at the Panchayat Ghar in Heirok Mayai Leikai to discuss the incident.
Attendees at the meeting resolved to form a Joint Action Committee, designated as the “JAC Against the Unnatural Death of Khundongbam Ningol Lourembam Ongbi Manda Leima”, to spearhead the movement for justice.
Speaking at the gathering, Ingalok Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi Youth Club president Laishram Jivan stated that the community would refuse to claim the body for the final rites until a thorough investigation was conducted.
The committee further warned the authorities of intense agitation if the case was not resolved transparently.
In response to the incident, the Mayang Imphal Police registered a case. A team of forensic experts subsequently inspected the scene to gather evidence and determine the exact circumstances surrounding the death.