People demand Emergency Cabinet meeting on missing man, warn to call for permanent removal of army from Manipur

Imphal: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu and civil society organisations have demanded for an emergency state Cabinet meeting and decide to ensure missing Kamalbabu’s safe return within five days.

They called for the permanent withdrawal of the 57 Mountain Division from Manipur if the demand is not fulfilled.

The decision was taken in a joint meeting held at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district, adjacent to Leimakhong village.

Laishram Kamalbabu, 56, has been missing since November 25 after he entered the 57 Mountain Division army camp at Leimakhong, where he was working as a supervisor on a contract project.

Lourembam Anita, a member of the JAC, told reporters that no trace of Kamalbabu has been found even after 12 days. Despite of the ongoing searches, there has been no conclusive result.

“He disappeared inside the army campus. No traces of him have been found,” she said. “Army presence is deemed unnecessary.”

Since November 25, people, along with the family of the missing 56-year-old, have been staging protests at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district, demanding Kamalbabu’s safe rescue and his return.