Three kids manage to escape from would be kidnappers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22: Inspite of public outcry against kidnapping of young children for recruitment as child soldiers, reports of attempted kidnapping of a boy at Uchiwa has come in even as two girls yesterday managed to escape from the clutches of the kidnappers at Thoubal.

Talking to mediapersons, 14-year old Sagolsem Arun son of Sagolsem Ibomcha and Sagolsem Ongbi Sangomnou of Uchiwa Leirak Achouba, a student of class IX studying in Uchiwa High School said that he was going to school at around 9.50 am today when four persons coming in a Maruti Gypsy waylaid him along the road near Uchiwa Awang Leirak.

The Gypsy stopped all of a sudden very close to him and after opening the door one of them tried to drag him inside.

Dharna being staged against the series of child kidnappings

While the unknown kidnappers were talking among themselves to find out whether anybody was coming along or not, Arun took advantage and escaped towards the open field and ran till his school.

"I am still shivering and don't think I would be able to study tonight," Arun added.

Mother of Arun, Sangomnou Devi said that she heard about the attempted of kidnapping of a boy by unidentified person while returning home from the market where she had gone since early morning to sell vegetables.

But she was shocked when the boy turned out to be her own son.

Principal of Uchiwa High School H Sarojkumar, who was also present at the occasion informed that after the recent unabated reports of young children being kidnapped, many of the parents have stopped sending their children to school due to fear.

In protest against the incident, members of All Uchiwa Development Association joined hands with the students of Uchiwa High School in staging a protest demonstration this afternoon.

Students from schools in the surrounding area also participated in the protest demonstration which was carried out by blocking half of the Mayai Lambi at Uchiwa Awang Leirak point.

Placards with slogans like 'Stop kidnapping young children', 'Allow students to study in peace', 'School is the sacred temple of learning, not battle field', 'Save the students for the future of the society', 'Don't subject students to fear and apprehension', 'Students condemned kidnapping of young children', etc were used during the protest.

On the other hand, two girl students studying in class V and VI respectively at Ruda Academy located near Thoubal College, Thoubal Wangmataba Lamdong, reportedly escaped from being kidnapped by three unknown persons coming in a Santro Car at Thoubal Wangmataba Hawaibam Leirak yesterday.

In protest the incident, students and teachers of Ruda Academy took out a protest march from the school campus till Thoubal bridge where a sat down to demonstrate from 11 am to 4 pm.

The two girl students who reportedly escaped from the hands of their kidnappers have been identified as 11-year old Leimapokpam Romobala d/o Leimapokpam Rajen of Thoubal Athokpam and 12-year old Leimapokpam Anjali d/o Leimapokpam Naba of the same locality.

Romobala is studying in class V while Anjali in class VI.

Talking to mediapersons, Anjali recounted that three unidentified persons coming in a red colour Santro car tried to stop them near Thoubal Wangmataba Hawaibam Leirak while coming together in her cycle from school.

When they did not stop, the unidentified person at first caught hold of her cycle and tried to push her inside the car.

Her eyes were also blind folded with a handkerchief.

Seeing a Tata truck was coming from the opposite side at that relevant time, the unidentified persons released her from their grip.

But when she tried to flee, another person caught hold of her again.

She gave a hard bit on his hand and managed to escape.

Only after the Tata truck came closer, the unidentified persons sped away the car.

Meanwhile, demanding to stop kidnapping of children, members of WODONAN, Lilando Lampak; Khongnang Pheidekpi Meira Paibis; Ningomthong Meira Paibis; Soibam Leirak Meira Paibis; Kakwa Lamdaibung Meira Paibis, Kakwa Selungba Leikai Meira Paibis, Kakwa Huidrom Leikai Meira Paibis jointly organised a Wakat Meepham at Kakwa Bazar today.