While police reports show his name as Md Sadiq, his parents say his name is Islauddin, also called Sibli. “The media reports had mentioned a name we weren’t familiar with, so how could we believe our son was arrested as a militant? Then the J-K police came here and showed us his photographs, so it must be true,” says Umra.

According to reports, Sadiq was arrested from Kathua district with sophisticated weapons. During interrogation, he is understood to have given several misleading statements, even claiming that he was a Pakistani national. However, his Manipuri roots were soon established and he confessed to having trained at a militant camp in Bangladesh. He was apparently recruited to join the LeT while in Meerut. While this shows the reach of J-K terror outfits recruiting from other states like UP, their reach in Manipur is yet to be established.

In Moijing Mayum Leikai, a Meitei Pangal pocket in Thoubal district around 11 km from Imphal, where Islauddin grew up, the news has spread. However, Abdul Mia only hesitates slightly before opening up. The last he had heard from his son was nearly four months ago, his 28-year-old son was in Meerut. “He failed his Class X board exams and left home to study to be a Maulvi nearly eight years ago. We would communicate frequently over phone. When we last spoke with him, he said he had completed his studies. I would send him money every month, but since the last several months I haven’t been able to.”

Both parents are at a loss as to what could have pushed their son into joining a terror outfit. “If it is true that he is a militant, then it’s all a big waste. No one will respect what he says, in spite of being a Maulvi. All the money I’ve spent, all our aspirations will come to nothing. If he is really a militant, then he’s done something very wrong, as Islam doesn’t support violence. But we hope he’s still alive, and maybe gets a second chance.”

Last December, the Delhi Police had also arrested three suspected Let militants near the Red Fort. The trio, said to be Muslim youth from Manipur, were held with explosives and were apparently planning a terrorist strike in the city.