Rescued youth recalls abduction ordeal
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, September 29 2024: Ningombam Johnson Singh of Thoubal Khekman Maning Leikai Ningthibi Khong, who was abducted along with two others by Kuki militants while they were enroute to an SSC GD army recruitment event in New Keithelmanbi on September 27, has been rescued by Assam Rifles and reunited with family members on Sunday.

Although handed over to Imphal West police on Saturday, the family members given custody of the rescued youth from the police station on Sunday.

Upon his return, local clubs and meira paibi groups, along with state-level civil society organisations, congregated at his house for details about his abduction.

Speaking to reporters, Johnson informed that he along with his friend Oinam Thoithoi and a local elder Thokchom Thoithoiba headed for 33 Assam Rifles camp at 'Nongchup' Keithelmanbi on a bullet motorcycle on being intimated to reach there by 5pm of September 27 for the physical standard/physical efficiency test, medical examination and verification document, having cleared the constable GD written exam conducted by SSC.

On their way, they lost tract of the actual route and mistakenly entered a Kuki village, where they were confronted by Kuki women inquiring about their destination.

Soon after, some armed persons showed up, blindfolded and took them to a camp in the hills where they were held in separately, he recounted.

Johnson also recounted being moved to another location still in blindfold and warned not to run away to avoid being shot at.

After some time, a team of Assam Rifles arrived and rescued him and later handed over to the Sekmai police station.

He also appealed to abductors of Thokchom Thoithoiba and Oinam Thoithoi for their safe release on humanitarian ground.

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