Army Officer Kidnapped in Manipur, Fourth such Incident since Conflict Began
Defense News ,India :- In Manipur's Thoubal district, on Friday at 9 am, a group of people forcibly took away Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Konsam Kheda Singh from his home. Singh, who was on leave at the time, was abducted by what officials describe as "anti-social elements."
The motive behind the abduction is not clear, but there are initial reports suggesting a possible link to extortion, as Singh's family had previously received threats.
As soon as the information reached the authorities, a coordinated search operation was launched by all security agencies to rescue the JCO. Currently, security personnel are checking all vehicles on National Highway 102.
This incident is the fourth of its kind since the conflict in Manipur began. In a similar incident in September 2023, an armed group kidnapped and killed Serto Thangthang Kom, a former Assam Regiment soldier. Two months later, an unidentified armed group abducted and killed four individuals who were family members of an Army soldier.
In another case, on February 27, an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Manipur Police was attacked in his home in Imphal city by members of a radical group called Arambai Tenggol (AT).
The security forces in Manipur are facing challenges in restoring peace. The attacks on security forces and their families are strongly condemned, and the perpetrators are urged to be caught and punished according to the law. If such incidents continue, there may be conditions for reimposing the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act, or AFSPA, granting greater authority to deal with security threats.
The overall security situation in Manipur remains a concern, and efforts are ongoing to address the root causes of conflict and ensure the safety of all residents.