Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 18:
After six days of captivity, the Khullakpa of Tombihangbu Kom village S Akhup Kom alias Ramesh was set free by his abductors last night.
On ransom demand of Rs 2 lakhs, Akhup Kom had been reportedly abducted by some armed persons who claimed themselves to be the cadres of KLA/KLO from Andro Mamang Leikai area on January 11.He was released safely at around 8.30 pm yesterday.
On being set free after six days of captivity, a reception was hosted to welcome the chief at at Palace Compound here today.
Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of a reception function hosted by Komrem Development Organisation (KREDO) to welcome the freed chief after being held a captive for six days at its Palace Compound office here this afternoon, Akhup Kom said that he had been abducted from Andro Mamang Leikai at around 2.30 pm of January 11 and taken to their camp by the unidentified gunmen who claimed themselves as KLA cadres.
After being taken to their camp blind-folded, he was threatened with dire consequences if Rs 2 lakhs was not given to KLA from the side of Nongmaiching Area Komrem Chiefs' Association of which he is a member, Akhup Kom disclosed.
When he made it clear that he was no position to meet the demand as he has no connection with the functioning of the Association directly, the abductors subjected him physical harassment.
Though from the following day, the armed abductors started treating him nicely with care, the freed village chief said.
Although Akhup Kom could not reply to the question of the mediapersons on what condition he had been freed and whether the ransom amount demanded had been given to his abductors, vice president of Komrem Students' Union Kamlen Chiru who was also present at the occasion came to his rescue and said Akhup Kom had been released safely after Komrem Students' Union and Kuki Students' Organisation held consultation with all concerned to avoid any unwanted consequences as a fallout of the abduction.
While appealing to all concerned to restrain from such activities in the future, Kamlen also expressed gratitude all the Meira Paibis bodies, Associations and organisations for their wholehearted support and co-operation in organising various form of agitation toward securing the safe release of the abducted chief.
It may be noted here that along with taking out a mass rally at Andro on January 14 demanding safe release of abducted village chief.