Women storm SW office
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 12 2009: Following threats received by the family from the abductors and alleging that government has failed to take any initiative to rescue a government officer abducted by cadres of a militant group, around 100 residents of Khundrakpam in Imphal east district where the officer hailed from stormed the state social welfare department in Imphal today.

Employees and Anganwadi workers under the social welfare department also staged a sit-in protest in front of the social welfare office in connection with the abduction of the CDPO.

They appealed to the abductors to release the officer without any condition.

Women shouting slogans against silence of Social Welfare Dept at its office

With the assurance of the director of social welfare that his office will take all responsibility for the secure release of the officer, agitating people return to home place at about 1 pm.

A child development project officer (CDPO) of the state social welfare, Thangjam Muhindro posting at Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district was abducted by some miscreants suspected to be cadres of United People Party of Kangleipak (UPPK).

He was abducted from his way to home and since his abduction, locals of Khundrakpam located 15 kilometer away of the Imphal has been staging sit-in protest against the abduction and demanding non-conditional release of the officer.

However, with no positive response from the group taking captivity of the officer till date except informing that family that he is abducted related with the department (social welfare) and not related with family matter.

Family today received threat from the militants group that if the department failed to meet the demand put down by them, he will be sent as dead body.

On receiving the threat, locals rose up and stormed the head office of the social welfare office today at about 11 am.

The abductors have said that the officer is being taken into captivity in connection with malpractices in the department where he is serving.

They alleged the top officials of the department of not taking any reasonability for rescue of the abducted officer and remained seated at the office entrance gate disturbing the office working.

Despite the worried of the family, the department failed to initiate any work to negotiate with the abductors or efforted to rescue the officer, said N Dijen spokesperson of the JAC formed in connection with the abduction of the officer who was among the gathering people at the office said.

"We will not back till the director gives a commitment on the secure release of the officer," he added talking to reporters before they met with the director.

However, after the director gave a commitment that his office is taking serious note on the matter and trying to find a way to secure release of the officer.

The department also aware of thing that the officer was taken into captivity in connection with certain demand from the department, he reported told the agitating people.

With the assurance from the director that the department will take all responsibility of the matter, agitating back home at about 1.30 pm.