Imphal, March 17 || TC – Tensions have risen in both Imphal West and Imphal East districts of Manipur following the disappearance of a 20-year-old youth from the Meitei community, authorities reported on Monday evening.
Luwangthem Mukesh, a resident of Keishampat Lelmajam Leikal in Imphal West, was last seen driving his car towards Churachandpur, a district predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, on Sunday afternoon. A missing person report was filed with the Imphal Police Station the same day.
Upon receiving the report, police officials launched an immediate inquiry, and extensive efforts are underway to locate Mukesh. Security forces and police have initiated a large-scale search operation in the areas suspected to be related to his disappearance. CCTV footage shows that Mukesh's vehicle was last spotted in Bishnupur district, near Chinikon, which is close to the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district.
Thounaojam Maheswar, General Secretary of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) in Manipur, met with the state’s Director General of Police Rajiv Singh to urge for intensified efforts to locate Mukesh.
According to police sources, Mukesh’s mobile signal was traced near Jouzangtek, a tribal-dominated area in the mountainous Kangpokpi district, though his exact location remains unclear.
Official sources also confirmed that more than 30 youths from the Meitei community have gone missing since the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state nearly 22 months ago.
In a related development, the Manipur Police have arrested four militants from various districts during ongoing search operations. These militants, identified as members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), and People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), were found in possession of significant quantities of arms and ammunition. Authorities have also ensured the safe movement of trucks carrying essential goods, including food, medicines, and other supplies, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), providing necessary security for these transport routes.