The Manipur High Court has taken decisive action by forming a committee to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a man from the Leimakhong Army Camp, an event that has raised concerns about security and oversight within military facilities. The decision came during a session on Wednesday where the two-judge bench, consisting of Justices D Krishnakumar and Golmei Gaiphulshillu, responded to a distressing plea filed by the missing man’s brother.
Laishram Kamal, 56, was reported missing on November 25, prompting his brother to seek judicial intervention fearing foul play. Initially, on November 27, the High Court seeked a detailed report from all related parties. The lack of compliance from these parties led to the formal establishment of an investigative committee.
This newly formed body is composed of high-ranking officials, including the District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kangpokpi, the SP of Imphal West, and the Chief Security Officer of the Army’s 57 Mountain Division, who holds the rank of Colonel. Their mission is to unravel whether Kamal was abducted within the premises of the camp or if he left of his own volition.
The High Court has ordered that the missing man’s family cooperate fully with the committee, providing any additional documents or evidence they might possess. The committee, led by the District Magistrate, will also summon the petitioner and other family members for questioning. The findings of this inquiry are expected to be presented in the next hearing scheduled for December 11.
Complicating the narrative, the petitioner alleges that Kuki militants kidnapped his brother from a high-security area of the army camp. This claim has added layers of complexity to the case, considering Kamal’s employment as a supervisor with a construction company operating within the army campus.
