A sense of urgency and growing concern has gripped the community as the search for missing Laishram Kamalbabu Singh continues. The 56-year-old Meitei man disappeared on November 25th from the Leimakhong Military Station, and his family and friends are desperately seeking answers.
BY Navin Upadhyay
It’s been 12 days since Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a 56-year-old Meitei man, disappeared from the Leimakhong Military Station on November 25th. Despite extensive search operations involving thousands of police officers and army personnel scouring the hills and forests of the state, there has been no trace of him.
A dedicated works supervisor for a contractor with the Military Engineering Services at the Leimakhong Military Station in Manipur, India, Singh left his home in Khukrul village to report to work but never arrived. His phone has been switched off since then, leaving his family and community in a state of distress and uncertainty.
The disappearance of Kamalbabu Singh has sent shockwaves through the Meitei community and beyond. His wife, Akoijam Belarani, along with other concerned citizens, has been leading protests demanding answers and the safe return of her husband. These protests have been marked by peaceful demonstrations and heartfelt appeals to the authorities.
As Singh was last seen at the Leimakhong Military Station, the Indian Army has been under intense scrutiny. The Army has deployed over 2,000 personnel, along with helicopters, drones, and tracker dogs, to aid in the search efforts. However, the lack of concrete progress has fueled speculation and raised questions about the military’s involvement in the case.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Manipur High Court has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Singh’s disappearance. The committee is tasked with determining whether Singh was abducted within the Army camp or left voluntarily. The findings of this investigation are expected to shed light on the mystery and potentially hold those responsible accountable.
The case of Kamalbabu Singh has captured the attention of the nation, sparking debates about security and accountability within military establishments. As the search continues, the hope for his safe return remains strong. The Meitei community and the nation at large are united in their demand for justice and transparency.
As the days turn into weeks, the mystery surrounding Kamalbabu Singh’s disappearance deepens. Every lead is being pursued, every clue is being examined. The hope is that the truth will eventually emerge, bringing closure to his family and justice to his memory.
Meanwhile, Laishram Ongbi Koijam Bela Rani, wife of the missing Kamalbabu Singh, has been relentless in her pursuit of justice and her husband’s safe return. She has staged several high-profile protests, including:
She has led numerous sit-in protests outside the Leimakhong military station, demanding answers from the Army authorities. These protests have often involved other women and community members, who have joined her in solidarity.
Bela Rani has also undertaken hunger strikes as a powerful form of protest, drawing attention to her husband’s disappearance and the lack of progress in the investigation.
She has made public appeals to the authorities, urging them to intensify their search efforts and take concrete steps to locate her husband. She has also appealed to the public for any information that may lead to his whereabouts.
Through her unwavering determination and courage, Bela Rani has become a symbol of hope for families of missing persons in Manipur. Her protests have not only raised awareness about her husband’s case but have also highlighted the broader issue of human rights and accountability in the region.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed to address the disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu Singh has been actively pressuring authorities to intensify the search efforts. They have met with Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, expressing their dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigation and urging him to take decisive action.
The JAC has also appealed to the public to come forward with any information that may lead to Kamalbabu’s whereabouts. They have organized protests and rallies to raise awareness about the case and demand justice for the missing man.
However, Chief Minister Biren Singh has maintained that the responsibility for locating Kamalbabu lies with the Army, as he was last seen at the Leimakhong Military Station. While the Army has initiated a search operation, the lack of significant progress has led to growing frustration and skepticism among the public and the JAC.
The JAC has expressed its intention to escalate the matter by seeking a meeting with India’s Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh. They believe that a higher level of intervention is necessary to break the impasse and ensure a thorough investigation into Kamalbabu’s disappearance.
The ongoing efforts by the JAC and the family of Kamalbabu Singh highlight the urgency and gravity of the situation. As the search continues, the public remains hopeful for a positive outcome and demands transparency and accountability from the authorities.
