Imphal, July 8 -- The Manipur High Court has expressed serious concern over the slow progress of the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) probe into the abduction and killing of six women and children from the Meitei community in Jiribam district last November.

The court has directed the NIA to submit a detailed progress report by July 24, emphasizing the gravity of the situation if a chargesheet has not yet been filed.

The directive came from a Bench of Chief Justice K. Somashekar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Uripok Apunba Lup, a collective of local clubs.

The petitioners are seeking a speedy and time-bound investigation, the arrest of those involved, and detailed case...