Inpi for release
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 21 2014 :
Saying that possibly some Kuki militants were behind the abduction of Asem Tomba (40) from H Champhai village who was engaged as a labourer in the construction/repairing work of Imphal-Saikul road, Kuki Inpi Saikul has asked all concerned to release Asem Tomba within 48 hours.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, Kuki Inpi Saikul president Thangkam Lupheng said he has certain inklings that Asem Tomba of Thoubal Leishangthem Leikai was abducted by some Kuki militants.
Asem Tomba was abducted by some unidentified Kuki armed persons from H Champhai village at around 5.30 pm of January 16 .
Thangkam Lupheng said that people have been shouting for the last many years to make Imphal-Saikul road a good one in view of its inevitability.
Repairing/construction of the road was taken recently at the joint initiative of Saikul AC MLA Yamthong Haokip and Khundrakpam AC MLA and Speaker Lokeshore.
The road is now ready for black-topping but some elements have been repeatedly impeding the road development work by subjecting workers to different kinds of harassment.
It has not been long since the problem created by abduction of two labourers from Ikou was settled.
But in the meantime, another labourer has been abducted.
This only implies that those elements are determined to sabotage all development activities in the area, Thangkam said.
On account of the abduction of Asem Tomba, road development work has been halted.
Given this situation, people fear that black-topping work may not be completed before the onset of rainy season.
Such unnecessary but repeated harassment is crossing limits and it may ignite a mass uprising.
For all these reasons, all concerned are asked to release Asem Tomba within 48 hours together with a convincing argument for abducting Tomba, Thangkam said.