Tensions escalated in Imphal West on Tuesday following the alarming disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a 55-year-old member of the Meitei community. Singh, who was employed at the Leimakhong Army Camp in the Kangpokpi district, was last seen on Monday as he left his village, Loitang Khunou, to report for duty. His family, increasingly anxious, reported that his mobile phone has been turned off since he departed, deepening concerns about his well-being.
In response to the situation, police and military personnel are conducting joint search operations in the surrounding areas, particularly near the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district. Singh has been stationed at the army camp amid ongoing ethnic tensions that erupted in May 2023, resulting in the displacement of numerous Meitei families from Kuki-dominated regions.
As news of Singh’s disappearance spread, residents from Loitang Khunou attempted to travel to Leimakhong in search of him. However, their efforts were thwarted by security forces stationed at Kanto Sabal, who aimed to prevent any potential unrest. Frustrated by the blockage, the villagers resorted to obstructing the road with rocks in protest.
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The disappearance of Singh occurs against a backdrop of heightened ethnic strife between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which has already claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands. The atmosphere remains tense, and authorities are urging the public to maintain calm as investigations into the incident continue.
