Abducted driver, handyman freed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 13 2014 :
Truck driver Langoljam Radhamohon (31) s/o L Khellen of Wangjing Lamding Cherapur and handy-man Khumanthem Sanjit (22) s/o Binoy of Wangoo Nongyai Khongban, who were allegedly abducted for ransom by NSCN (K) cadres, were freed today.
Talking to reporters about their 18-day captivity, Radha-mohon said that they were abducted from near Piphima Army camp in Nagaland on NH-2 in the intervening night of July 25 and 26 .
He said that they were driving towards Imphal from Gorabhal Sonapur carrying cement for Gupta Agency, Thangal Bazar.
They were transporting the cement under Gungun Agency, he said.
Radhamohon said that when they were about to reach Piphima Army Camp, they saw two Gypsy jeeps parked on the side of the highway.
As soon as they drove past them, they overtook Radha-mohon's truck and asked him to stop.
Radhamohon said that after bringing them down from their vehicle, the abductors blindfolded them and drove towards Zunheboto.
Later, the abductors made a call to a driver of another truck, which drove along with them, and told him that Ra-dhamohon and Sanjit were abducted for a ransom of Rs 67 lakh.
Radhamohon said that they were kept in NSCN (K) camp located at Zunheboto, 100 kms from Kohima.
Although, no ill treatment was meted out to them, they were chained at night for a few initial days, Radhamo-hon.
After several rounds of phone calls and negotiations, the duo were freed at Kohima, he said and added that they boarded a passenger bus from there and reached Imphal at around 5.30 am today.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers Motor Workers Union general secretary Hamom Kulamani asked the drivers not to operate on NH-2 .
Urging the drivers to transport goods only on NH-37, he cautioned that the union would not be held responsibility for any eventuality on NH-2 in future.
Maintaining that Radhamohon and Sanjit were abducted due to non-payment of annual tax, Kulamani urged the concerned not to harass or abduct driver and handyman in future.
He also expressed concern that both Manipur and Nagaland Governments did not respond positively when drivers and union face similar problems.