THE Indian Army has deployed over 2,000 personnel for the search of the Meitei man who has been missing for over a week, police said. Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a native of Assam’s Cachar district who lived in Khukrul in Imphal West, was a works supervisor for a contractor working with the Military Engineering Services (MES) in Leimakhong Military Station of the 57th Mountain Division, according to the Army. Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said he went missing from the military station, asking its authorities to take responsibility for finding him. “Massive joint search operations by Manipur Police assisted by Indian Army is being undertaken with effect from November 25 to trace Laishram Kamalbabu Singh (56 yrs) who has been missing since November 25,” the Manipur Police said in a Facebook post on Monday night.

 

“Indian Army has extended all support and resources to trace him utilising 2000 plus troops, helicopters, drones and Army tracker dogs. Further investigation using technical intelligence is being undertaken,” it added. Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed in response to the disappearance of Singh, continued its sit-in protest at Kanto Sabal, some 2.5 km from the military station, where the road has been barricaded. Singh’s wife Akoijam Belarani also joined the protests. A demonstration was held in Manipur’s Churachandpur district to protest the Government’s decision to scrap the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR). The demonstration, led by the United Zou Organisation (UZO), started at the ‘Wall of Remembrance’ around 11.30 am. Carrying posters and placards, the demonstrators raised slogans.