Imphal, May 13 2009: THE KIDNAPPING of an adopted son of the Dean of the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Iroishemba in Imphal West district allegedly by cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), a Manipur based militant group in connection with extortion demand from the university authority affected the normal academic atmosphere Wednesday as students, teaching and non-teaching staffs protested the act of the militant group.

Sources informed, the 22 year-old lad identified as Wahengbam Roshan, s/o (L) Nando of Iroishemba Mamang Leikai adopted by the dean of CAU, Naorem Iboton Singh was kidnapped Monday night at about 8:00 by at least four to five militants who came on a Maruti van.

On the other hand, students and teachers at the protest revealed Roshan was taken into custody in place of the Dean who was not found at his official quarter in connection with percentage demand from the university authority from the funds meant for the developmental works of the University released by the Central government.

However, the kidnapping incident came to light with the media only on Wednesday after students, teaching and non-teaching staffs of the university with hundreds of people of the surrounding areas of the University staged a sit-in protest against the non-release of the son of their Dean at the university campus.

A lecturer of the university informed miscreants came into a Maruti Van Monday night and first asked for the Dean.

But when they learned the dean was not at the quarter, they forcibly took away his adopted son, informed the lecturer, alleging the kidnapping of Roshan is related with the percentage demand of the group from the funds sanctioned for the development and upgradation of the university.

The lecturer also informed that with the given period for utilization of the funds sanctioned from the Centre nearing lapse, hectic efforts to complete the construction was going since the last few months and added the interference of the underground elements was one of the main reason for the delay in the commencement of the works.

The sit-in protest staged by students, teaching and non-teaching staffs and officials of the university started from around 10:00 a.m.and lasted till 4:00 p.m.displayed slogans demanding to stop interference in the education related institutions, seeking non-conditional release of the son of the Dean and not to disturb in the developmental works of the university.

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