Abduction of Engineers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29 2009:
Setting December 2 as the deadline for securing the safe release of the abducted two engineers of Electricity Department, namely EE Thangjam Tomalchand and SO Leitanthem Mangi, the JAC formed in protest against the abduction and Khurai Ahongei Leikai Telipati Meira Paibi Nupi Lup have decided to launch various intense agitations if the demand is not met.
Locking the offices of Electricity Department, imposition of State-wide general strike, etc are among the plan of actions that have been charted out by the JAC and the Meira Paibis' body in case the Government of Manipur and the Electricity Department do not secure safe release of the two abducted engineers.
It may be recalled here 58-year old Tomalchand of Khurai Thangjam Leikai, who is an Executive Engineer in Tamenglong Division of Electricity Department and 56-year old Mangi of Kongpal Chanam Leikai, who is an SO in Tamei Sub-division of the Department have been abducted on their way to Tamenglong in the morning of November 6. The family members claimed that the two engineers have been held captive by armed outfit United Peoples' Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) in connection with some matter related to the Electricity Department.
Decrying the failure of the Government and the Electricity Department to secure the release of two abducted engineers, a Wakat Meepham was staged under the aegis of Khurai Ahongei Leikai Telipati Meira Paibi Nupi Lup at Khurai Telipati today.
Participating in the protest demonstration, president of Khurai Ahongei Leikai Telipati Meira Paibi Nupi Lup Ngangbi pointed out that since the abducted of EE Thangjam Tomalchand and SO Leitanthem Mangi is not related to their personal matter, the Govern ment of Manipur and its Electricity Department are duty bound to ensure their safe release.
So, in case the Govt and the Electricity Dept fail to secure the release of the two abducted engineers by December 2, various intense agitations including locking up the offices of Electricity Department and calling State-wide general strike would be launched.
Placards inscribed with slogans like 'Government and Electricity Department should secure safe release of Tomalchand and Mangi', 'Electricity Department should take the responsibility of the two abducted engineers', etc were seen at the site of the protest demonstration.