Driver, helper abducted on monetary demand
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 26 2014 : NNN/IMPHAL, Sept 26: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed in connection with the abduction of a driver and a handy-man along Imphal-Silchar road allegedly by the cadres of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) on September 17, has warned to launch various forms of agitations, if the two are not released at the earliest.

The abducted driver has been identified as one Heigrujam Ibomcha, (35), s/o (L) Irabot Singh of Yumnam Khunou, Pangei in Imphal East district and the handyman is one Thangjam Romen alias Naocha, (26), s/o Thangjam Tomal Singh from the same locality.

Talking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Thangjam Sanathoi, convenor of the JAC stated that the two persons were hired by three businessmen namely L.Indrajit of Bishnupur Khunou, N.Divan of Thanga, Nara leirak, Bishnupur and Zongkholai of Jaipur Maning Leikai to ferry beetle leaves from Jiribam into Imphal.

Talking to media persons at Manipur Press Club

The driver and the handy man had left Imphal on September 14, on a hired mini truck DI 207 bearing registration number MN-0X-0809, owned by one Ngangom Bobby from Wangkhei but they were kidnapped by suspected ZUF cadres while they were on their way back to Imphal on September 17 at around 4 pm, at a location just 5 km away from Barak river in Tamenglong district.

Meanwhile, Thangjam Sanathoi alleged that the driver and the handy man were abducted for a ransom demand of Rs 20 lakhs.

The ZUF has stated that if the families of the kidnapped persons fail to offer the said amount, then, the businessman L.Indrajit should be handed over to them.

Upon certain negotiation with the family members, the ZUF has agreed on settling the matter with Rs 5 lakhs and threatened the family members to be prepared for any untoward happening if the latter fails to meet the demand of the ZUF by September 27 .

Family members of the victims along with the JAC have filed complaints to the Bishnupur and Nungba police stations to trace the whereabouts of the driver and the handy man who have been missing for many days now.

Meanwhile, the JAC has also stated that the kidnapped driver and the handy man are innocent and were on their first trip to Jiribam.

As such, it appealed to the concerned authorities to ensure the safe release of the duo at the earliest.

It also stated that the three businessmen, whose beetle leaves were ferried have neglected their responsibility by avoiding the matter instead of helping to ensure the release of the two persons.

As such, the JAC has appealed to the three persons to co operate for the safe release of the driver and the handy man and also threatened to launch various stringent forms of agitation with the help of civil societies if the duo is not released at the earliest.