Tensions Rise as Manipur Resident Eludes Search Efforts for 13 Days; 2,000 Troops Mobilized

Imphal, Dec 7 (NationPress) With more than 2,000 soldiers from the Army and Assam Rifles actively engaged in a comprehensive search operation to find a 56-year-old man belonging to the Meitei community, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Meira Paibis have appealed to the Defence Minister and Assam Chief Minister for assistance in locating the man who has been unaccounted for over the past two weeks.

The prominent Meira Paibis (women's vigilante group in Manipur) and the JAC are currently holding separate protests regarding the disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who has been missing since November 25.

On Friday, JAC leaders met with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to discuss the abduction of Kamalbabu Singh and on Saturday informed the press that they are also requesting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to direct the Army officials in Manipur to escalate the search efforts to find the missing individual.

According to the leaders of the Meira Paibis, since Kamalbabu Singh is a resident of Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma should engage with relevant parties to facilitate his rescue.

Kamalbabu Singh, who hails from Gossaipur in Cachar district of southern Assam, was residing in Loitang Khunou village in Imphal West district. He vanished on November 25 while en route to the Leimakhong military station, where he worked as a supervisor for a contractor associated with the Military Engineering Services (MES).

Defence officials have reported that more than 2,000 soldiers, including personnel from the Assam Rifles, are conducting rigorous searches in Kangpokpi and surrounding districts to track down Laishram Kamalbabu Singh.

As part of the search efforts, the Army has employed tracker dogs, drones, and various technological tools.

A spokesperson for the defence stated that Army officials are in continuous communication with local village leaders and community elders to gather intelligence that may enhance the search operation.

The search strategy includes examining CCTV footage, interviewing Singh's colleagues, and deploying sniffer dogs.

This week, the Manipur High Court established a four-member committee to investigate the case of the missing individual.

A representative from the Home Department indicated that the Division Bench of the High Court, which includes Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui, reviewed the petition submitted by the brother of the missing man and formed a committee led by the District Magistrate of Kangpokpi.

The committee will also include the Superintendent of Police for Kangpokpi and Imphal West Districts, as well as the Commanding Officer of the 57 Mountain Division, Signal Regiment.

Earlier, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh urged the Army to make all necessary efforts to locate and recover Kamalbabu Singh and take accountability for finding the missing person.

The Leimakhong military station, situated 16 km from the capital Imphal, is surrounded by areas predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes.

After ethnic conflict erupted in Manipur in May of last year, individuals from the Meitei community evacuated regions near Leimakhong village.