Imphal, August 18 2009: Whereabouts of an 11 year-old girl allegedly taken away by a combined force, who came to arrest her father but did not find him home, are still unknown even after four days.

Villagers of Nongmaikhong area in Imphal west district today informed media persons about the incident.

The villagers demanded immediate and safe release of the girl by tomorrow.

Or else intense agitation will be launched, they warned.

The girl who had been allegedly taken into custody by the combined force has been identified as Salam Bidyarani (11), daughter of S Deban presently residing at Nongmaikhong.

She is studying in Standard-VI at Emanuel Grace Academy.

The villagers have formed a joint action committee called JAC against the Arrest of student Salam Bidyarani of Nongmaikhong Mayai Leikai.

Informing the media persons about the incident at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, here, the JAC convener, Ningthoujam Memchatombi said a combined force of state police commandos and Army who visited at Nongmaikhong on August 14 last had picked up the little girl.

The combined force who entered the house of Salam Deban (36) had asked for him who was out of station along with his wife at that time.

When the combined force was informed that Deban along with his wife were out of station, they carried away the little girl stating that one of the family members need to turn up at the police station.

Later, villagers asked to the Mayang Imphal police station, the police there said that they will not release the child till Deban is produced.

Reiterating that the girl is a school going one and she was brought to home from the school boarding where parent keeps her due to his unwell health condition, expressed strong condemnation to the police attitude.

When lodged complaint with the local MLA E Biramani with a plea to secure release of the child, he asked the villagers to ensure surrender of Deban for securing release of the child, she added.

Currently, security forces are keeping closed vigilant at the fish farm of Deban and its nearby other farms.

Security forces were fishing from the farms at any time they wanted by the villagers.

On prevailing situation fishermen and farmers are abstaining from going to their farms and fishing and from cultivation works at their fields, the JAC informed.

Representatives of the JAC today also submitted a memorandum to the state Governor with the demand for immediate release of the little girl, taking up appropriate action against the police commandos and security forces involved in picking up the minor child among others.

They also demanded abolition of police commando force and resign chief minister who could not put the police commandos under control.

The JAC also threatened to launch agitation and withdraw the security forces from their farm areas by tomorrow (August 19) .

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