Tensions are running high once again in Manipur, particularly in the Imphal West district, as the search intensifies for Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a 55-year-old man from the Meitei community who went missing on November 25. Singh, who hails from Loitang Khunou, left his home on Monday afternoon to begin his work at the Leimakhong Army Camp located approximately 16 kilometers away from the state capital, Imphal. Since his departure, there has been no communication from him; his family reported his mobile phone was switched off around 2 PM on the same day.
The police have launched joint search operations involving both law enforcement and the Army, aiming to locate Singh amid rising concerns within the community. Singh was known for performing various unskilled jobs at the camp, which is situated near areas predominantly inhabited by the Kuki ethnic group, and this geographical backdrop has added layers of complexity to the already tense situation.
Following Singh's disappearance, outrage erupted among local residents, particularly from his village. Many villagers began marching toward the army camp to inquire about Singh's whereabouts. En route, they reached the Kanto Sabal area but were met by security forces who sought to prevent any potential escalation of violence. This led to clashes where frustrated villagers, feeling neglected, resorted to blocking the road with rocks as protests intensified.
Local sentiment was echoed by Meira Paibi activists, who have been vocal about their concerns over Singh's fate. They fear he may have been kidnapped by militants, urging the state government to dispatch additional security personnel to aid the search efforts. Khaidem Ibeton, one of the activists, stated passionately, "We will wait here until he is found and handed to us. We demand immediate attention from the government on this matter and more forces to assist with the search." The situation on the ground remains contentious, with tensions only exacerbated by the area's recent history of ethnic violence.
Sparking yet more unrest, the backdrop of the current situation includes violent protests following the discovery of the bodies of six Meitei individuals who had allegedly been kidnapped and murdered by militants earlier this month. Autopsy reports revealed the brutal nature of their deaths, especially highlighting the tragic demise of three-year-old Chingkhei Nganba Singh, whose body exhibited signs of severe trauma.
Since the beginning of violence last year, more than 250 lives have been lost due to ethnic strife between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Communities are still grappling with the repercussions of this troubled history, causing mistrust and fear to linger.
Alongside the rising tensions, security measures are being ramped up across the region. Educational institutions across five valley districts have been temporarily closed to prioritize the safety of students and staff as unrest swells. Manipur's Home Department has also extended mobile internet shutdowns and data services across multiple districts, taking these precautionary steps to mitigate any potential for unrest via organized communication.
The messages of discontent directed at the state officials have also amplified calls to address the longer-standing issues faced by the Meitei community. With their fate intertwined with the region's complex socio-political dynamics, the unfortunate disappearance of Singh has reignited fears and anxieties about safety and well-being amid the volatile environment.
The uneasy situation continues, and as search parties extend their efforts, the hope among locals is tangible yet fraught with worry. Can Laishram Kamalbabu Singh be found safely? Or will this event merely be another grim chapter added to the community's already fraught narrative?
Meanwhile, as tensions simmer, officials urge patience and restraint amid mounting pressures from local populations demanding accountability and action. Authorities firmly state they are committed to ensuring Singh's safe return, yet the peaceful resolution seems fragile at best.
