Imphal, December 27 2009: Out of two persons abducted by unidentified armed persons, apparently related to monetary demand of Rs 1 crore served on the mobile phone service provider Airtel, one managed to escape and has subsequently been rescued by the police even as further search is on to trace the other captive.

According to a police source, specific information was received last afternoon regarding sighting of the two abducted Airtel staff at Mapao Tangkhul village under Saikul police station of Senapati district.

Mapao Tangkhul village is said to be located about 8-10 kilometres east of Sekmai police station.

Subsequently joint security team comprising of Imphal East and West district commandos and Assam Rifles troops moved to the location and launched a search operation resulting in a brief shoot-out between the security team and unidentified persons suspected to be involved in the abduction.

Amid exchange of gunfire and fading light, the captives namely Khangembam Joychandra of Bamon Leikai, who is the manager of Airtel franchisee Click Communication, and marketing manager (RCV) of Airtel Thokchom Oken reportedly escaped from the clutches of their captors and fled together.

While a fleeing Th Oken came across the security search party and has been consequently rescued before being brought to Sekmai police station, there is no information till late evening today regarding whereabouts of Kh Joychandra even though there is no let up in the search operation since yesterday.

Even though a media team reached Sekmai police station, police officials/personnel on duty denied presence of Th Oken inside and turned down media-persons' formal intimation to interview the escapee.

Ironically, family members of Oken showed up at the same police station and confided to media persons waiting outside of meeting Oken.

Similarly, the media team was signalled to move away upon nearing the search operation zone.

Confirming the shoot-out, some villagers informed to the media team of hearing sporadic gun shots last evening as well as today morning mostly in the direction of Nungpokthabi hillock.

The security personnel also allegedly thrashed four persons namely Loitongbam Angangcha (40), Loitongbam Naocha (25), Loitongbam Dilip (30) and Ch Rajen, who had been staying at Mapao Tangkhul village and asked to produce weapons.

The four were reportedly freed after the thrashing.

On the other hand, the media team also came across a group of women who had ventured into the village to prepare eatables for the Christmas celebration, but rushed out of fear following the shoot-out.

Meanwhile, information has been received of the Airtel service provider shutting down office in denunciation of the abduction.

The two have been reported missing since December 17 .

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