Manipur: Protests continue over missing Meitei man as authorities fail to provide update

Tensions remain high in Leimakhong as protest continues following the disappearance of 57-year-old Laishram Kamalbabu, who went missing from the 57th Mountain Division Army Camp on November 25. 

A Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed in connection with the case, along with family members of the victim and women protestors, held a meeting with authorities from the 57th Mountain Division on  Saturday. However, no resolution was reached.

During the meeting, protest representatives demanded a clear timeline from the Army for locating Kamalbabu. 

The Army authorities, while seeking cooperation in the search efforts, were unable to provide a specific timeline and requested an end to road blockades, emphasizing that such actions could hinder their operational activities.

Dissatisfied with the Army’s response, the JAC and protestors resolved to continue their demonstrations at Kanto Sabal Leimakhong, where a large number of women agitators have been blocking the road leading to the camp. The protests have been ongoing since the day following Kamalbabu's disappearance.

The JAC had earlier issued a deadline for the Army to locate Kamalbabu, which expired without any progress. Protestors demanded that senior officials from the 57th Mountain Division address the demonstrators at the protest site, but no representatives came forward.

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Family members, including Kamalbabu’s wife, Belarani, who travelled from their original home in Cachar in Assam joined the protest on Saturday. 

Expressing strong dissatisfaction, they criticized the Army’s inability to trace Kamalbabu. “If this had happened to their families, how would they feel?” the protestors questioned.

Belarani vowed to continue protesting until her husband is safely returned. “I will not leave until my husband is handed over safe and sound... I request the authorities to return my husband in the next three days,” she stated.

The women agitators condemned the lack of action from the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 57th Mountain Division. “We served them a deadline, and they failed to respond. We will not stop until Kamalbabu is found,” they asserted.

As the situation unfolds, protests at Kanto Sabal Leimakhong remain steadfast, with the road blockade causing significant disruptions. 

Authorities face mounting pressure to resolve the issue and ensure the safe return of Kamalbabu, as public outrage grows.