Imphal: Family of Meitei man M Rishikanta, who was kidnapped and shot dead by suspected miscreants in Churachandpur district on Jan 21, has finally claimed his body for the last rites on Sunday.Family members, members of the joint action committee (JAC), and residents of his locality gathered at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary to receive the body.The body had been kept at JNIMS since the night of Jan 22, after Churachandpur police handed it over to Kakching police following completion of the autopsy.Rishikanta was kidnapped by armed miscreants from his fiancee’s house and later found dead in the hills of Natjang under Henglep police station. A disturbing video showing his final moments — where he was shot twice — was released by the perpetrators and went viral. The Manipur high court on Friday directed authorities to remove the video, warning that its circulation could disturb public order.JAC co-convenor Sarangthem Sushil said authorities had met nearly 70-80% of the demands raised by the JAC and family members, prompting them to claim the body for the last rites. However, he stressed that democratic protests would continue until the culprits are arrested. He also demanded the arrest of Rishikanta’s fiancee, Chingnu Haokip, in connection with the crime.Meanwhile, the Manipur govt announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.
