In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through Manipur's Kom community, Sepoy Serto Thangthang Kom, a 41-year-old Indian Army soldier on leave, was abducted from his home in Imphal West. Thangthang was forcibly taken from his porch at gunpoint, only to be discovered later with a fatal gunshot wound to his head. This disturbing incident has raised concerns and fears within the Kom community, as they worry about being dragged into the ongoing ethnic strife in the region. The circumstances surrounding Thangthang's abduction and subsequent murder remain unclear, leaving questions about whether this was an isolated act of violence or part of a larger pattern. Notably, this tragedy marks the first known casualty from the Kom tribe, a community that had maintained a neutral stance in the conflict. At the time of the abduction, Thangthang was on a four-day leave and was in the company of his son. He was scheduled to report back to the Leimakhong military station, making this loss even more poignant and devastating for his family and community.