WATCH: Massive protest in Manipur's Imphal after pics of 2 missing students 'killed' go viral

Hundreds of students took to the streets in Manipur’s capital Imphal on Tuesday after photos of two missing pupils, who were allegedly killed by armed men, went viral on social media.

The protesters gathered in large numbers and shouted slogans like “we want justice”. Some of the students even tried to reach Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s residence. The security forces reportedly used smoke bombs to disperse the agitators.

Students across Imphal are out on the streets demanding Justice.
We demand Justice for Linthoingambi & PhijamHemanjit#IAmLingthoingambi #IAmHemanjit#KukiTerrorists#KukiAtrocities#KukiWarCrimes#ManipurFightsBack pic.twitter.com/yXdlproBmE

— Bijou ThaangJam (@BijouThaangjam) September 26, 2023

one of my friend from #Manipur send me this video his name is Andrew. This situation is today in #Manipur #Imphal.. I am asking you all what to do and what not to do?#manipurvoilence @2024_For_INDIA @AnanyaSaikia667 @lurinjtgogoi @DhrubaneelA @PradyotManikya pic.twitter.com/dsc08k9tpl

— ⚜️ Nabajyoti Bordoloi ⚜️ (@NabajyotiBord12) September 26, 2023

Several students were injured and later rushed to the hospital.

The agitation comes after photos of the bodies of two students, who had been missing since July, had gone viral on social media. These images depict moments from before and after they were killed.

One of the photographs portrays the two students with two armed men in the frame and the other one was of two bodies. The students have been identified as 17-year-old Hijam Linthoingambi and 20-year-old Phijam Hemjit.

Soon after the photos went viral, the state government asked the people to exercise restraint and allow the authorities to investigate the “kidnapping and killing” of two students.

The statement issued by the secretariat of CM N Biren Singh late on Monday night, stated that the case has already been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

With inputs from agencies