IOC offical kidnapped; Non-availability of petroleum products imminent
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 22, 2011:
An official of the IOC, Imphal has been kidnapped by some armed persons on his way to home after office yesterday around 4 pm.
After the news of kidnapping the officer, oil pumps in Imphal have closed down.
Fifty-six year old Khwairakpam Ibobi Singh (also known as KI Singh), State Level Coordinator of IOC, Imphal branch was reportedly kidnapped from in front of the Chingmeirong Oil Depot.
The kidnapping of the officer came to light when his car (MN01-1907) was found abandoned at a place along the Imphal-Dimapur section of the NH-39 at Sapermaina Bazar today morning around 10 am.
Sapermaina police recovered the car, reports said.
Police suspected hands of a group of armed activists break away group from NSCN (IM) behind the kidnapping of the officer.
However none of the outfits so owned up the responsibility.
Retails outlets in Imphal area were opened and sold petrol and diesel as usual till early hour of today before hearing the news of kidnapping of the IOC official.
However, they closed down apparently after hearing the news.
Chingmeirong Oil Depot also suspended distribution of petroleum products with immediate effect triggering apprehension of facing non-availability of petrol and diesel in the state from tomorrow.
The cancellation of distribution of the petrol and diesel couple with the ongoing oil tankers and bullet tankers steering down strike over kidnapping of the two drivers and a handyman of three bullet tankers by cadres of Karbi People Liberation Tigers (KPLT) for a ransom demand of Rs 50 lakh.
The three persons were kidnapped after cadres of the outfit launched an attack to some bullet tankers at a place along the Assam section of the NH-39 causing damages to some of the tankers on last January 16.Since then oil bullet and oil tankers are suspending transportation of petroleum product to Imphal on NH-39.