A large-scale search operation is currently being conducted by the Army in the Imphal Valley for Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a resident of Khukrul in Imphal West, who has been missing since leaving for work on Monday afternoon. Singh, originally from the Cachar district of Assam, is employed as a works supervisor for a contractor associated with the Military Engineering Services at the Leimakhong Military Station in Kangpokpi.
His disappearance was reported by family members after he failed to return home on the night of November 25. Following the report, the Army mobilized its resources and initiated an extensive search operation. This includes a thorough review of CCTV footage, consultations with his colleagues, and the deployment of tracker dogs. Despite these efforts, both Singh and his two-wheeler remain unaccounted for.
The search operation has been intensified, extending into the military station and nearby villages, with the use of drones and aerial platforms to cover wider areas. The authorities have also engaged with local civil society organizations (CSOs) to seek support in finding Singh. The family has been assured that all possible measures are being taken to ensure his safe and prompt return.
In the wake of Singh’s disappearance, tensions have escalated in the fringe areas of the Imphal Valley. On Tuesday, hundreds of individuals from the Meitei community organized a march towards the military station to demand information about Singh. However, their progress was halted near Kanto Sabal in an effort to prevent further escalation. In response to being blocked, the protesters obstructed the road with stones, prompting the Army to request the Meitei CSOs to clear the path to facilitate movement for the armed forces and police.
Protesters voiced suspicions that Singh may have been kidnapped by militants and called on the state government to deploy additional forces for a potential rescue operation. The military camp where Singh worked is located approximately 16 kilometers from the capital, Imphal, and is bordered by hilly areas populated by the Kuki community. The ongoing ethnic violence that erupted in May last year has caused significant upheaval in the region, resulting in the loss of over 250 lives, prompting many Meiteis who lived near Leimakhong to flee the area.
As the situation unfolds, the state police have also begun their investigation into Singh’s disappearance, amidst growing concerns and calls for action from the community.
