Log book shows entry into Leimakhong Army camp, but no exit
Man missing from Army base camp
Source: The Sangai Express / JNN

Imphal, November 26 2024: Tension gripped Imphal again as a Meitei man who used to supervise contract work at the Leimakhong army base camp has gone missing allegedly from inside the military base since yesterday.

The missing person has been identified as Laishram Kamalbabu (56), s/o (L) Laishram Kumardhon of Cachar Goshaipur currently staying at his brother's place at Loitang Khunou.

People suspect that he might have been abducted by Kuki militants.

Kamalbabu's family alleged the contractor union has confirmed to them that the gate logs showed he had entered but did not exit.

Kamalbabu's family alleged the contractor union has confirmed to them that the gate logs show he had entered the military base but did not exit, reports NDTV.

Log book shows entry into Leimakhong Army camp, but no exit

The family of Kamalbabu has submitted a missing report to Sekmai police station and the Superintendent of Cachar police.

The missing report to Cachar SP was submitted by Coordination Committee on Crisis of Meetei/Manipuri Cachar Assam (CoCoCoM) .

Taking strong exception to the case, womenfolk of Kanto Sabal and surrounding Meitei villages tried to storm Leimakhong Indian Army base today.

Womenfolk in large number staged a protest right from today morning demanding safe release of Kamalbabu and later marched towards Leimakhong Indian Army base.

The Indian Army personnel blocked the road by placing iron barricades and parking their vehicles (Casspir) and this prompted a heated argument between the two sides.

One of the protesters said that Kamalbabu has been frequenting the Leimakhong military base for work since the last fifteen years.

She also said that the missing person had been monitoring contract work even during the crisis in Manipur until his disappearance based on the assurance given by the Army personnel that he would be safe.

The Indian Army, after some heated arguments, asked the protesters to give them some time to trace the missing person.

Later at around 2.245 pm, six representatives (three women and three men) were taken inside the military base and let them hold a talk with Army officers.

The meeting lasted around one hour.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Ibo Moirangcha, a relative of the missing person said that they expected the Indian Army will give a time frame to trace the missing person but the officers they met didn't give any assurance.

Ibo said that his uncle might have been abducted by Kuki militants from near Makhan Road close to Kangpokpi at around 1.30 pm yesterday.

Continuing that they will intensify their agitation until the missing person is handed over to them, he added that they also will prohibit the movement of Indian Army along Kanto Sabal road until their demand is fulfilled.

Another contractor and friend of Kamalbabu told NDTV his phone was found switched off between 1 and 3 pm on Monday when his family tried to reach him.

"Kamalbabu frequently went to the army camp to monitor the work.

He would also ride around everywhere in the area on an Activa (two-wheeler) to meet clients and suppliers.

He was a familiar face.

The workers hired by contractors in the area are from all communities, Kukis, Meiteis, Nepalis, others," Mr Kamalbabu's friend told NDTV on phone.

"The army and some members from the contractors' union searched for him extensively yesterday using sniffer dogs.

They did not find him," Mr Kamalbabu's friend said, requesting anonymity.

He said entry to the Leimakhong army base is strictly monitored, and all civilian visitors have to make entries at the gate.

Mr Kamalbabu's family alleged the contractor union has confirmed to them that the gate logs showed he had entered but did not exit.

The rear of the army base has a small, unpaved road that goes towards Sekmai from the foothills, but is not used by commuters other than residents of nearby villages.

All commercial and regular traffic use the National Highway that bypasses Leimakhong.

Different civil society organisations based in Cachar appealed to all concerned to release the missing person on humanitarian grounds.

A sit in protest was staged after submitting the report in front of Silchar Boys Hostel.

On the sideline of the demonstration, Bela Rani Singha, wife of Kamalbabu with a teary eye, appealed to the people to rescue her husband.

Manipuri Youth's Front of Assam (MYFA) also appealed to the Government to rescue the missing person.

(With inputs from NDTV) .