Imphal, July 20: Mothers of two boys, who reportedly went to regain custody of their children from the clutches of an armed group have been detained by the banned outfit even as three other children who left home without the knowledge of their family elders have been taken into custody by Kangpokpi police.

The two mothers whose rescue acts went waste and have been detained by PREPAK (VC) activists are said to be Phurailatpam Premi Devi w/o Ph Baldev of Konthoujam Kangjeibung Mapal and Kshetrimayum Purnima w/o Ksh Mangoljao of Wabagai Keirak.

To regain custody of their children Ph Naoton (15) and Ksh Naobi (12), the mothers along with some family members went to Shamurou area on July 16 but instead landed in the hands of the UG activists even though the children managed to escape.

briefing media-persons in connection with the incident, Ph Baldev contended that after Naoton telephoned home of his whereabouts, he and Premi headed for a particular house in Shamurou on July 16 .

While the mother proceeded towards the house and found/met Ksh Naobi there he stayed a few distance from the residence before witnessing two youths on a Scooter (NV) arriving at the house seconds later followed by the two boys scampering out from the place, a visibly agitated Baldev recounted while stating that Ksh Naobi and his mother might have been there before he and his wife arrived.

According to the father, who also quoted Naoton as saying that he had stealthily escaped from a PREPAK hideout, the scooter borne youths asked the mothers to stay back and were whisked away from there.

Informing that Naoton is the third child of five children and had been staying away from home for the past one year working as an assistant driver/handy man, Baldev conceded when his son last left home in May this year the family were of the view that he went back to his profession.

Continuing his narration on events that unfolded after his son's return at home, baldev disclosed of receiving a telephone call with the caller identifying himself as PREPAK activist with the instruction that Naoton be handed back to the outfit failing which his brother (elder) or the father should show up within 2 pm of July 20 at Kakching Khunou where Premi would be handed over.

There is no information from the side of Ksh Naobi or his family elders.

Meanwhile, condemning detention of Premi and Purnima a protest rally was organised at Konthoujam areas this afternoon during which slogans denouncing forcible detention of women, kidnapping of children were raised besides giving boycott call of PREPAK (VC).

The protest demonstration was followed by a public meeting this afternoon wherein it was resolved to appeal for safe and immediate release of the mothers and a reminder that concerned group would be boycotted in case the people's appeal is not honoured.

On the otherhand with regard to the kangpokpi police personnel taking custody of three boys, it is informed that a police team led by the Officer in-charge traced/tracked down the trio at around 10.45 pm yesterday after getting information of three having left their respective homes in the afternoon.

The three, according to a police source, are Md Sakib Ali (15) s/o Jamaruddin of Urup Mayai Leikai, Anisur Rahman (15) s/o Salatur Rahman of keikhu Mayai Leikai and md Lucky (15) s/o Sirajuddin of Lilong Turel Ahanbi.

All three are said to be class X students of Scholar English Academy, Keikhu with Lucky a hosteller.

The source further maintained that a specific information was received of the boys having put up at the residence of one Meena Begum in Kangpokpi and rushed in there.

After the trio left homes/hostel at around 3 pm yesterday and reached Motbung on a passenger bus they hired an autorickshaw and de-boarded at near Kangpokpi where they had loitered till late evening at the Thomas Ground fair venue.

As initial searches at suspected locations eluded the police team from tracing the boys they were finally hauled up from Meena's place.

All three have been handed over to their respective family elders today.

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