Family of Manipur Police constable missing after Jiribam unrest

The wife of Laishram Herojit, a constable in Imphal's Manipur Police, is among six people who have gone missing since the unrest in Jiribam on Nov 11. Along with her baby and two-year-old daughter, she disappeared after a violent incident.

Herojit had sent his wife, Heitonbi, to stay with her family in Jiribam during her pregnancy in August of last year, believing it would be safer there than in the tense atmosphere of Imphal.

Six Meitei individuals, all from the same family—three women and three children—have gone missing after a gunfight between security forces and armed Hmar militants in the Jakuradhor and Borobekra areas of Jiribam, near the Hmar-majority Pherzawl district.

The clash left 10 Hmar militants dead.

Along with Heitonbi and her children, her mother, Rani Devi; sister, Thoibi Devi; and niece are all missing. Despite ongoing search operations by security personnel, no information regarding their whereabouts has been revealed.

"Back then, Jiribam was very peaceful. I thought they would be safer there and well taken care of. I used to talk to them often, sometimes on video calls. The day before they went missing, my wife called in the morning to ask how I was," said Herojit.

"I’ve been spending sleepless nights since they went missing. I’m so helpless, at my wits' end as to what to do. Yes, I’m a policeman, but given the situation and the distance, I cannot go rescue them myself," he added.

According to Herojit, on August 25 of last year, his wife and children left Imphal for Jiribam, believing that her family would provide better care for her during her pregnancy.

On Nov 11, Herojit received a panicked call from Heitonbi, who said, "Tamo, the situation here has worsened. We’re surrounded by armed men," before breaking down in tears. After a brief conversation, she hung up. Herojit could hear gunshots in the background.

"I was helpless. The same day, I was stationed at Yaingangpokpi, where violence erupted after armed miscreants attacked farmers," Herojit recalled.

An hour later, his wife's niece called to inform him that some neighbors had witnessed armed criminals taking his family across the river on a boat.

"I was stunned and helpless. They are innocent. They’ve done no wrong," he said.

Tensions in Jiribam, Manipur, have escalated due to ethnic conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Disagreements over land rights, indigenous status, and reservation policies have fueled violence, leading to clashes, property damage, and displacement.

The ongoing unrest has caused loss of life and widespread insecurity, prompting calls for peace talks and government intervention to restore stability.