KPLT frees abducted drivers, handyman; Driver recalls ordeal in captivity
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 25, 2011:
The three persons, two drivers and a handyman of Gas Bullet Tankers kidnapped by cadres of the Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger (KPLT) were released unharmed after nine days in captivity.
The three persons, drivers Longjam Arun Singh and Thokchom Jiten Singh along with the handyman Nanao @ Suresh Singh reached Imphal today.
The drivers and handyman, recalling their ordeal in the captivity of the kidnappers, said that they were badly beaten up by the kidnappers apart from being threatened to be killed if their monetary demands were not met.
They were kept confined at a place in a thick forest in Karbi Anglong, said driver Longjam Arun who informed the media that they were kidnapped from a place called Deohpani on NH 39. He said, they were hit by rifle butts and blood oozed from one of the driver's ears.
All three showed bruise marks on their bodies.
Despite the chilling cold of the night, only one blanket was provided to them.
At the time of their release, they were driven out from the camp with no instructions of which road to take.
They reached Deohpani with the help of a villager who they met at a village not far away from the outfit�s camp.
After reaching Deohpani, they hired an auto-rickshaw to reach Dimapur, from where they caught an Imphal bound bus from the inter-state bus parking.
They reached Imphal this morning, Arun related his story to reporters at the office of the All Manipur Road Transport and Motor Workers� Union, Mantripukhri.
Strongly condemning the ill-treatment meted out to the drivers, the Union�s secretary H Kullamani reminded that this was not the first case of torture and taking of lives of drivers and handymen on NH 39. The union has a clear stand not to ply on NH 39 but and instead go on NH 53 because it feels that the security forces will be able to better safeguard the drivers and handymen on this highway.
But, the government instead of complying to the drivers' demand keeps on requisitioning vehicles to procure essential commodities using NH 39. Expressing concern over the innumerable �taxes� imposed by the UGs on NH 39 he said now UGs in Assam too have started eyeing Manipur vehicles.
The 50 kilometer stretch of NH 39 within the forest of Karbi Anglong district has become another danger point for the drivers.
Kullamani further informed that a meeting has been called on January 28 by the union which is to be attended by drivers of vehicles transporting petroleum products to take a final decision on the matter of continuation of plying of vehicles on NH 39.