Human skulls found in Manipur school complex

Imphal: Eight human skulls were recovered from an abandoned Manipur school complex where paramilitary forces had set up a base camp during the 1980s, a police official said Sunday.

"The skulls were extracted from the Tombisana High School complex (in Imphal West district) during digging work Friday and Saturday," the officer said.

He said police had launched an investigation. The skulls have been sent for forensic test.

Police suspect the skulls were believed to be of people aged between 17 and 40 years.

NGOs and civic groups have urged Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh to order a judicial inquiry. They have demanded DNA tests of the skulls.

The school complex, now abandoned, was occupied by paramilitary forces to undertake counter-insurgency operations from 1980 to 1999.

This was the period when many youths reportedly disappeared in Manipur.