Manipur districts tense as youth goes missing

Guwahati: A youth has gone missing from Imphal triggering serious tension in Imphal West and Imphal East districts. A police official said Luwangthem Mukesh (20), a resident of Keishampat Lelmajam Leikal area of Imphal West district, was reported missing after he was last seen driving his car towards the tribal-dominated Churachandpur area on Sunday afternoon. A missing person report was registered on Sunday at the Imphal police station.

Manipur police stated in X, “On 17.03.2025 at about 11 am, a missing person report on 16.03.2025 of one Luwangthem Mukesh of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Imphal West was reported to OC Imphal Police Station. On receipt of the report, an inquiry has been initiated. All efforts are ongoing to trace the missing person by the police department and security forces by launching search operations in all suspected areas.”

A police officer said CCTV footage shows his vehicle was last seen in Bishnupur district near Chinikon, close to the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district. Family members of the youth on Tuesday met chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh.

According to the police, his mobile location was also traced near the Kuki-Zo tribal inhabited Jouzangtek area in the mountainous Kangpokpi district, but the exact place is yet to be determined.