Imphal, Manipur, December 6 (HBTV): Imphal East witnessed a large-scale torch rally protest on Thursday night organized by Aurora Club and Library, with participation from the women’s groups Laipham Khunou, Lei-Ingkhol, and Sangakpham.   

The protesters demanded the revocation of the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) investigation against a Meitei extremist group Arambai Tenggol’s chief Kourounganba Khuman and urgent action to locate a man called Laishram Kamal Babu, who went missing from the Leimakhong Army Campus on November 25. 

The rally began at Sangakpham ground, and proceeded to Khongnang Ani Karak before returning to the starting point. Protesters carried torches and raised slogans.   

One of the protesters voiced her frustration, saying, “Why is Himanta Biswa Sarma silent? Laishram Kamal Babu is from Gosaipur in Assam, and he is Meitei. Is this silence because he is Meitei? The Assam government must act immediately and find him.”    

The protesters also criticized the NIA for its case against Kourounganba Khuman, arguing that he is not a terrorist but a ‘protector’ of Manipur’s indigenous people.    

“Kourounganba is defending us against Kuki narco-terrorists. The NIA must revoke its case against him,” another protester stated. 

The rally, marked by significant participation from women across various communities, highlighted the growing discontent over Kamal Babu’s disappearance and the perceived targeting of leaders like Kourounganba Khuman.