Abducted labourers freed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05, 2012: Two construction workers reportedly abducted for ransom by activists of a KCP group have been released late night yesterday at an isolated location.

One of the freed labourers namely Sapam Meiraba (40) s/o S Gerani of Loitang Khullen Awang Leikai told newspersons today that about six unknown persons entered their workshed at around 9.30 pm of July 27. Claiming to be members of KCP-MC (Amuluwang) group, the unknown persons woke up the labourers and started to thrash them before taking away Meiraba and another labourer identified as Huidrom Khambaton from Itam Khunou.

Two groups of labourers were staying at separate worksheds in connection with the construction of a bridge in between Phumlou siphai and Mayang Langjing, according to Meiraba who also stated that labourers in the other camp were also beaten up by the unknown persons.

With their eyes tied, Meiraba and Khambaton were taken through a paddy field and hauled up to a vehicle and confined at a temporary work-shed surrounded by paddy fields where the blind-folds were removed only at the time of taking meals, he said.

Maintaining that the captors asked both Meiraba and Khambaton to telephone their respective families that they (captives) are in great trouble, Meiraba said after some days of confinement both were taken out from the work-shed at around midnight yesterday with a stern warning that they would be shot dead in case the blindfolds are removed.

Both were then driven around for a while before the vehicle stopped and the captors asked them to descend with the blind folds still on.

After sometime when the abductors had apparently left the place the blind folds were removed and realised that the place was in between Akham and Lamdeng villages, Meiraba narrated.

Both walked till the Khonghampat residence of Meiraba's elder sister from where the family members were conveyed about their release at around 4 am today.

Conceding that both he and Khambaton were not aware that their abduction was related to monetary demand, Meiraba said he came to know through his family members after the release that they were actually abducted to demand Rs 15 lakhs.

He fervently appealed to all concerned not to target innocent workers for they are only working to support the family.

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