Imphal-Moreh road blocked for some time
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 21 2018:
Irate locals blocked Imphal-Moreh road from 4 am today protesting the abduction of four individuals who had gone to SDO Chandel office for an order concerning the election of village chief, by some unknown individuals.
However, the blockade was suspended later after the abducted individuals were released by their captors.
According to a reliable source, the individuals who were abducted by unknown individuals from near SDO Chandel office are identified as Th Rengthang (41) of Lamkang Khunou village (who is the newly elected village chief), K Khalden (45), Th Khaluwar (5 8) and Th Angsung (48) of the same village.
The source conveyed that Th Rengthang was elected as the new village chief after the term of the previous chief, J Khalnung, expired.
And as per the protocol, the newly elected chief filed an application to the SDO office.
The source continued that the newly elected chief, along with the other three individuals went to the Chandel SDO office in a Maruti van at around noon yesterday and disappeared without a trace.
When the family members tried calling them, all their mobile phones were switched off as well, the source informed adding that their whereabouts remained unknown till late evening today.
Pointing out that the concerned family members of the missing individuals raised suspicion regarding abduction by armed individuals, the source explained that the enraged locals resorted to blocking Imphal-Moreh road and preventing any vehicles from passing the road since early morning today.
However, the locals allowed vehicles bringing Myanmar delegates who came to Manipur for taking part in the Sangai Festival to pass through, the source added.
The blockade continued till around 1 pm before it was called off after receiving news that the abducted individuals had been released at a location in Chandel district.
The source mentioned that none of the family members have revealed any detail as.to who abducted the four individuals however, one of the individuals, Th Khaluwar bore many injuries on his body and as such had to be rushed for treatment at Jiban Hospital, Kakching.
The remaining three were given first aid and discharged, the source added.