A 78-year-old woman was found brutally murdered inside her home in Imphal West district of Manipur, sparking serious concerns over the safety of elderly residents. The shocking incident came to light on Tuesday afternoon, January 19, when her body was discovered concealed beneath her bed at Singjamei Oinam Thingel.
The victim has been identified as Oinam (ningol) Thoibi Devi, also known as Pishakcha, a resident of the area. According to family members, she had been missing from her home and the neighbourhood since Saturday, raising alarm among relatives and neighbours.
Oinam Bimola, the younger sister of the deceased, said she was informed by relatives from her parental home after neighbours reported that Thoibi Devi had not been seen for an entire day. Acting on the information, locals checked the house and found her lifeless body wrapped in clothes and hidden under the bed.
Personnel from Singjamei Police Station, accompanied by forensic experts, rushed to the scene and conducted an inquest in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, Imphal West. Preliminary findings revealed signs of extreme violence. The victim reportedly suffered multiple stab wounds on her face and body, her throat was slit, and fingers of her right hand were severed, suggesting a brutal and premeditated attack.
Following the inquest, the body was shifted to the RIMS morgue for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause and time of death. Police have registered a murder case and launched an intensive investigation to identify and arrest those responsible.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage in the locality. An emergency meeting was held at the premises of Eikhoigee Club, Oinam Thingel, where residents strongly condemned the killing. The meeting resolved to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC), named the Joint Action Committee Against Brutal Killing of Oinam (ningol) Thoibi alias Pishakcha, to demand swift justice.
The gathering also adopted a resolution calling for the expulsion of the culprit(s) and their family from the locality once those involved are identified.
