Imphal, October 28 2008: THREE TRUCK drivers from Manipur, transporting rice for the Food Corporation of India (FCI), who were abducted from Dimapur on Sunday evening by suspected KLA/KLO militants have been released yesterday after allegedly paying a sum of Rs.15,000 to the abductors.

The three drivers are Gulapi (MN-02-6366), Bor Singh (MN-01/A-9776) and Chandra Singh (MN-06/T-0263).Reports received from Dimapur police said that the incident of abduction happened when two women came and met the three drivers at around 6:00 pm on Sunday and after some conversation, they left together.

However, the handymen of the three vehicles remained near the Firing Range in Dimapur as they were cooking food, waiting for the drivers to come back but they did not return.

On Monday morning at around 9:30 am, Dimapur police were informed about the missing drivers by other Manipuri drivers, after which they carried out a search operation for them, but could not locate them.

According to Dimapur police, they tried to find the three drivers for taking their statement, but they could not be traced.

According to Dimapur police, the KLA/KLO had been demanding Rs 5000 each from all trucks bound for Manipur, but these three drivers refused to pay the demanded amount.

Enraged by their refusal, they were abducted from Firing Range in Dimapur and were released after they paid a sum of Rs 15,000 .

Police sources further said that the drivers have left for Imphal soon after being released.

Meanwhile, the drivers have safely reached Imphal, it is learnt.

Comment