The search for Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a 56-year-old works supervisor for the Military Engineering Services, has intensified as the Indian Army deploys over 2,000 personnel to locate him. Singh, who hails from Cachar district in Assam but resided in Khukrul, Imphal West, has been missing since November 25, 2024. Chief Minister N Biren Singh has urged the military authorities to take responsibility for his disappearance, which reportedly occurred at the Leimakhong Military Station of the 57th Mountain Division.
In a statement posted on social media, the Manipur Police announced that massive joint search operations commenced on the day Singh went missing. They confirmed that the Indian Army is providing extensive support, including 2,000 troops, helicopters, drones, and Army tracker dogs. The police have also indicated that technical intelligence investigations are underway to assist in locating Singh.
As the search efforts continue, the situation is further complicated by a growing wave of public discontent. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) has been formed in response to Singh’s disappearance, and its members have initiated a sit-in protest near Kanto Sabal, approximately 2.5 kilometers from the military station. Protesters have barricaded the road as tensions rise over the circumstances of Singh’s disappearance. His wife, Akoijam Belarani, has joined the demonstrators, amplifying calls for accountability and action regarding her husband’s case.
The Leimakhong Military Station, situated in Kangpokpi district about 16 kilometers from Imphal, is located in an area marked by ethnic strife. Since violent conflicts erupted in May last year, which have claimed over 250 lives, many Meitei residents in the region have reportedly fled their homes amidst escalating tensions. Protesters have voiced their concerns, suggesting that Singh may have been kidnapped by militants in light of the ongoing instability.
The search remains urgent as the community seeks answers and justice regarding Singh’s mysterious disappearance, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort between the military and local law enforcement to ensure a swift resolution to the troubling situation.
