Outrage erupts in Manipur after woman found dead in shop

Imphal: A 23-year-old woman turned up dead Thursday in her shop at Mayang Imphal Bazar. The victim, Lourembam Ongbi Manda Devi, hailed from Heirok Part-3, Inganglok, in the Thoubal district. She lived locally with her husband, L. Kiyamba. Family members found her hanging in the shop at 11:45 am. They rushed her to SAS Hospital in Mayang Imphal, but doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

Public anger boiled over quickly. Locals, along with members of Meira Paibis and nearby clubs, gathered Friday morning at the Panchayat Ghar in Heirok Mayai Leikai. The crowd formed the JAC Against the Unnatural Death of Khundongbam Ningol Lourembam Ongbi Manda Leima to fight for answers. Laishram Jivan, president of the Ingalok Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi Youth Club, laid out the community stance. He said, "The community would refuse to claim the body for the final rites until a thorough investigation was conducted."

The group threatened intense agitation if authorities fail to handle the case transparently. Meanwhile, Mayang Imphal Police filed a case regarding the death. Forensic experts swept the shop to collect evidence and pin down how she died.