How many more lives must be sacrificed : DMCC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 21 2025: Highlighting the missing case of 20 year old Luwangthem Mukesh Das who cannot be traced till date and the growing insecurity among the Meitei people, the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) has asked the Government of India how many more lives must be sacrificed before action is taken.

The failure of authorities under President's Rule to rescue Luwangthem Mukesh, a resident of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, raises serious concerns about the security and safety of the Meetei community in Manipur, the DMCC said in a statement.

Mukesh, son of Gyanendra Das, went missing on March 16, 2025, and despite the family's complaint to Governor AK Bhalla, he remains untraceable.

Under President's Rule, Meetei people continue to live under threat as armed Kuki militants openly defy the Government's authority, it said.

Despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah's instructions to allow free movement from March 8, 2025, the reality remains starkly different.

The Meetei community has responded positively by surrendering arms to the Manipur Governor, with reports indicating that 82 per cent of the recovered arms have come from Meetei individuals.

However, Kuki militants and civil society organizations have refused to surrender illegal arms and continue to hold the State hostage while demanding separatist goals, the DMCC pointed out.

It is no surprise that Kuki militants are not following the call for peace, it remarked.

Historically, armed groups initially supported by State or foreign agencies for political advantage later turned against their own sponsors.

The world has witnessed this in the case of Osama bin Laden, who was initially backed by American agencies to counter Russian forces but ultimately became responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the US.

Similarly, the Indian Government reportedly supported the LTTE for geopolitical reasons, only for the group to assassinate an Indian Prime Minister, it said.

The DMCC then asked if there is any guarantee that Kuki armed groups, despite alleged backing from Central agencies, will not one day turn against the Indian State.

The blatant defiance by Kuki armed groups and their alleged sponsorship by Central agencies for counter-insurgency operations against non-State actors pose a significant threat to the region's stability.

The Government of India must act decisively to ensure justice and security for all communities in Manipur.

The continued disappearance of Luwangthem Mukesh highlights the ongoing crisis.

"The Meetei community demands immediate intervention, transparency in investigation efforts, and the safe return of Mukesh.

How many more lives must be sacrificed before action is taken?", it asked.

CCTV cameras showed Mukesh's car in Bishnupur at 3.40 pm on March 16, and his mobile phone's last known location was traced to Joujangtek, a Kuki-dominated village.

He went missing in this area, leading to concerns over his safety, it added.

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