March 21, 2025 : Amidst heightened tensions in Kangpokpi district, two Meitei individuals narrowly evaded a potentially dangerous situation on Thursday.
The individuals, identified as Wahengbam Robinkumar, aged 53, son of Late W. Gulapi from Kumbi Kangjeibung Mapa, and Moirangthem Pomhenba, aged 29, son of M. Ibobi from Kumbi Makha Leikai, were on their way to Awang Sekmai when they unknowingly crossed into the sensitive region.
According to police sources, the duo left Kumbi early in the morning around 7 AM on a Honda Dio scooter, heading towards Awang Sekmai to purchase a rice mill from a seller identified as Sanatomba Singh.
The journey seemed routine until they came across a signboard that read, “Welcome to Kangpokpi,” which immediately alerted them to the potential danger ahead.
Realizing they had strayed into an area known for ongoing ethnic tensions, they stopped and sought confirmation from a nearby police personnel about whether they had reached Awang Sekmai.
Shortly after the duo was stopped, the Sekmai Police arrived at the scene and immediately intervened, ensuring their safe passage out of the area.
Under police escort, the two were safely guided away from the volatile region, preventing any potential escalation.
Since the onset of the ongoing unrest ignited on May 3, 2023, many Meitei men and youths, including a girl who had crossed the district borders of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur, are still missing to date, and many have been declared dead.
The latest missing case is that of a 20-year-old youth, Luwangthem Mukesh from Keishampat, Imphal, whose last mobile phone location was traced to the Kuki-Zo inhabited Jouzangtek area in Churachandpur district.
Leaving the restoration of the peace process in Manipur to the government, the incident raises concerns over the need for better awareness among travelers to prevent similar situations in the future until unrest persists in the state, while the two men escaped unharmed.
