Imphal, July 26: Referring to the news report about the kidnapping of five girl students of Anganghal English High School, Wangoi by unidentified armed persons yesterday and that the students reportedly managed to escape, the school authority has clarified that the students were never kidnapped.

Speaking to media persons this afternoon, founder chairman of the school Thounaojam Tomba said that on the third day of the ongoing half-yearly examination of the school yesterday, 24/25 students were detained for two minutes for copying during the morning shift of the exam.

After two minutes, the students were provided answer scripts and allowed them to appear in the exam.

Later during the afternoon shift of the examination, five students were found absent when checking the attendance register.

Saying that the school authority did not expel the five students for copying, the founder chairman asserted that the Wangoi Muslim Leirak on which the five students were reportedly taken away is not fit for driving four wheelers.

He further asked as to why the particular five students should be expelled when 24/25 were caught copying.

Clarifying that no UG group demanded any student from the school, Tomba said that necessary efforts will be made to bring an amicable solution on whether the five students should be allowed to study further in the school.

Taking part in the press meet, secretary organisation of the All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association Gojendro Tharoijam clarified that the report of UG groups demanding children from schools has turned out to be rumour.

In connection with the issue of reported kidnapping of five students of the school, an infuriated mob have destroyed five computer sets, two printers, a large number of furniture, answer scripts, questions papers of the half-yearly examination, office records, files and unit test exercise books were destroyed yesterday.

On the other hand, a public meeting held today at Wangoi has strongly condemned the act of kidnapping young children by some UG groups to recruit them as their cadres, informed a release issued by Peoples Protection and Development Committee.

The meeting attended by social organisations of Wangoi area, school authorities and guardians further resolved to establish close cooperation among school authorities, guardians, social organisations and police to abort any attempt to kidnap children.

Other resolutions of the meeting include extension of full cooperation from the side of guardians towards the school authority of Anganghal Higher Secondary School so that the school can be reopened from July 30 .

The meeting further appealed to the people to be cautious against rumours.