‘Very unfortunate that such an incident took place on the Army campus’: Manipur CM Biren Singh on missing Meitei man | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday expressed deep concern over the disappearance of 56-year-old Meitei man Laishram Kamalbabu from the Leimakhong Army Camp, calling the incident “very unfortunate.” He criticized the event that took place at the Army campus and assured that both the Central and State governments are prioritizing efforts to locate Kamalbabu.
“The central government has asked the concerned authority to find out the whereabouts of the person and the state government has also sent the team in search of the missing person. Our common agenda is to find the missing person and it is very unfortunate that such an incident took place within the Army campus,” he said.

Kamalbabu, who had been supervising the work of a Military Engineering Services (MES) contractor at the Leimakhong Military Station, went missing on November 25. He had left his home in Imphal West at 9am for work but did not return later the same day. afternoon. His family reported his disappearance after attempts to contact him failed. Kamalbabu’s younger brother filed a missing report, stating that Kamalbabu was seen on the army campus, accompanied by a Nepali, before his phone was switched off.
The Indian Army had launched an extensive search operation including ground combing, drone surveillance and aerial platforms in the military station and surrounding villages. The defense PR office confirmed that the search was stepped up after they received the missing person report, which came on the evening of November 25. Despite these efforts, Kamalbabu’s whereabouts remain unknown.
A joint action committee formed by local residents staged a sit-in protest in Imphal West on Wednesday demanding that the army ensure Kamalbabu’s safe return. The protesters urged that the Indian Army be held responsible for the incident and called for immediate action to locate the missing man.
Chief Minister Biren Singh said the army is responsible for tracking down Kamalbabu, especially considering the gravity of the situation. He acknowledged the ongoing unrest caused by the incident, following another tragedy in Jiribam in which three women and three children were killed. Singh confirmed that the state government, along with the army, has been in touch with central officials to expedite the search.