Manipur: Ongoing Search for Missing Civilian Worker at Military Station After 35 Days

Imphal, Dec 29 (NationPress) In a troubling development, a 56-year-old civilian working as a supervisor for a contractor at a military station in Manipur has been unaccounted for over the last 35 days, as per official reports issued on Sunday.

According to defense sources, approximately 2,000 soldiers from the Army and Assam Rifles have been actively engaged in search operations to find Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who was last seen on November 25.

In parallel, the Manipur Police have been conducting their own search initiatives for Kamalbabu Singh, a resident of Gossaipur in the Cachar district of southern Assam, who had relocated to the Loitang Khunou village in the Imphal West district for work. He vanished while heading to the Leimakhong military station on the day he was last seen.

Kamalbabu Singh was employed as a supervisor for a contractor associated with the Military Engineering Services (MES) at the Leimakhong Military Station, which is under the jurisdiction of the 57th Mountain Division stationed at Kangpokpi.

A senior official from the Manipur government informed IANS that the case of the “missing” individual has been escalated to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Meira Paibis (a group of women vigilantes in Manipur) have been actively advocating for the recovery of the missing man. They have reached out to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to assist in locating him.

Members of the JAC, along with representatives from various organizations, have met with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh multiple times to discuss the alleged “abduction” of Kamalbabu Singh.

The Chief Minister previously urged the Army to make comprehensive efforts to locate and rescue Kamalbabu Singh, emphasizing their responsibility in this matter.

Heikham Dingo Singh, the State Social Welfare Minister, mentioned that all pertinent documents concerning Kamalbabu Singh have been forwarded to the offices of the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Home Minister for further action.

A spokesperson from the defense stated that Army officials are persistently communicating with village leaders and community elders to gather information that could enhance the search.

The search operation has included reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing Kamalbabu Singh’s colleagues, and utilizing sniffer dogs to intensify the search efforts.

Previously, the Manipur High Court formed a four-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing man.

According to a Home Department representative, the Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui, examined a petition filed by Kamalbabu Singh's brother and established a committee led by the District Magistrate of Kangpokpi.

Leimakhong military station, located about 16 km from Imphal, is situated in an area dominated by the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal communities.

Since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May of the previous year, individuals from the Meitei community have been displaced from regions surrounding the Leimakhong village.