Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 11::
The latest kidnapped child, Mangkhuollien is now free and Churachandpur is heaving a sigh of relief.
But the kidnappers, by all indications, are nowhere near being arrested.
The police and other security agencies were also completely out of the picture during the entire period.
What are the factors that led to the safe release of the child without money, reportedly, being paid? Sources said that the kidnappers who made their phone calls to the parents of the child from PCOs and WLL phones panicked when they realized that some volunteers and groups who are seriously viewing the incident were hot on their heels.
The people in general were also becoming restive as philanthropic organizations of the district issued an ultimatum to the kidnappers.
The task of keeping the child under their custody without raising suspicion was also adding to their discomfiture as time passed.
The last contact the family had with the kidnappers was on October 5 when a phone call was made from a WLL phone from Pangzawl village.
It was soon discovered that the call was made by one of the kidnappers identified only as Khupmang, about 38 years of age from the WLL phone of the chief of Pangzawl village in Churachandpur.
Khupmang reportedly is living in a rented house at Khomoi village and his parents are living near Saikul in Senapati district.
He had made the call with the help of his younger brother who is living at Pangzawl village.
Soon pressure was mounted on the brother of Khupmang by a militant organization which evidently took up the issue.
On being pressed, he reportedly said that he had an estranged relationship with his elder brother and was arranging the phone on his urging when he came to him drunk.
He nevertheless promised all help and began searching for his brother.
Then on Saturday, October 9, a word was heard from him that the child was somewhere in Imphal.
On his direction, the parents left for Imphal around 5: 30 pm Saturday and following a man waiting for them at a bridge near Sanjenthong, found their child playing with another boy inside one dilapidated kuccha house at Haokip Veng, Imphal.
There was no one else in the house except an elderly woman, sources said.
They came back home here by 9 pm.
According to family sources, the child is apparently in good health and there are no signs of distress and emotional strain.
Except for scars of mosquito bites, there are also no physical injuries.
They also insisted that no ransom money was paid for the child�s release.
One of the kidnappers, identified as Thangboi, who is said to be living at a locality just beyond Zenhang Lamka to the east has also disappeared from the scene.
Sources said that he was the one who fingered the child at the time of the kidnapping after lining them up at the common room.
Meanwhile, parents of the child, Goulienlal and Khawlliankim issued a release today expressing deep gratitude to all organizations, associations and individuals who helped and supported during their entire ordeal.
They also attributed the collective efforts of all and prayers of many to the safe release of their child.