Abduction of drivers for ransom:: Transporters threaten to stir
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 02 2014:
All Manipur Road Transport Drivers' and Motor Workers' Union (AMRTDMWU) has appealed to all concerned to safely release the four drivers who were abducted by some armed miscreants from Bokajan area in Assam on the night of May 27 last month for a ransom of Rs 30 lakhs.
Talking to media persons here today, Secretary of AMRTDMWU H Kulamani said that the Union has submitted memorandums to the Chief Minister, Home Minister and DGP of Manipur urging them to take appropriate action for ensure safe release of the abducted drivers.
Further, the drivers would abstain from holding steering and go on strike if the abducted drivers are not released at the earliest, he added.
Kulamani recalled that on the night of May 27, the four drivers carrying biscuits and other food items and bound for Imphal were abducted from near S.B Petrol Pump at Ambrajan under Bokajan police station, Karbi Anglong district of Assam while they were taking rest there.
Identifying the abducted drivers as Soibam Khomei (43) s/o S Iboyai of Tekcham Maning Ching, his younger brother Soibam Sanatomba (36), Langpoklakpam Sarat (38) s/o L Prem of Keirak Dam, Kakching in Thoubal district and Elangbam Romen (30) of Irengband Kakching, Kulamani further recounted that on that fateful night, armed men took them away leaving all the second drivers in the trucks.
A day after the abduction, armed outfit KYKL demanded Rs 30 lakh while holding responsibility for the abduction of the four drivers.
But when the transporters' body contacted KYKL, the latter denied abduction of the drivers, Kulamani said, adding that till Sunday a man who identified as KYKL cadre was keeping in touch with the transporters' body demanding the ransom amount.
Family members of the four abducted drivers, namely Soibam Khomei, Soibam Sanatomba, Langpoklakpam Sarat and Elangbam Romen have also appealed to all concerned to release them safely as soon as possible.