Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2010:
In all 27 labourers from Wangoo area in Bishnupur district have been reportedly detained in an interior village of Tamenglong district suspectedly due to dispute between the villagers and two contractors who hired the labourers.
According to information provided by family members of some of the detained labourers, the 27 men were engaged by Khangpi Riangmai of Makui village and Khangbo of Thonglan village of Tamenglong district, but presently residing at Kanglatongbi areas.
After being scouted by three individuals also from Wangoo areas on behalf of the contractors, the labourers left for the work place on November 16 assuming that they would be engaged in some construction activities at Kuilong village.
However, they were escorted to the nearby Lemta village on December 6 for wood cutting, the family members narrated while speculating that disagreement over 'village tax' for felling trees might be the reason their loved ones had been detained.
They further confided that about a week back a telephone call was made by one of the labourers who pleaded that the contractors be informed about their situation.
The family members also appealed to the contractors concerned to intervene without any further delay so as to ensure safe return of their bread-winners.