Many condemn abduction of civilians, demand release
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 29 2024: Condemning the abduction of three Meetei youths en-route to an SSC GD army recruitment rally at New Keithelmanbi on Friday, a public meeting was held at Thoubal Leishangthem Awang Leikai community hall, demanding immediate release of the two youths still in captivity.

During the public meeting, parents of the abducted youth appealed to authorities concerned, including state and central governments, to help trace their sons, who have been taken hostage by Kuki militants, and their safe return.

Speaking at the meeting, JAC convenor L Subol called on CSOs and the public to assist in locating the two remaining abducted youths along with insisting that state and central forces rescue the youth in captivity at the soonest possible.

The meeting also resolved to submit a memorandum to the Governor and chief minister, urging for swift rescue of the two abducted youths, and the CSOs to support movement launched by the JAC to denounce abduction of the three Meetei youths.

The public meeting also pledged to sustain the protests until release of the missing duo.

Meanwhile, it is informed that despite attempts to meet the chief minister to submit the memorandum, JAC representatives were not granted appointment.

Reports indicate that Johnson, one of the three abducted youths, was rescued by security forces on Saturday and handed over to Thoubal police.

He was reunited with his family on Sunday on completion of basic procedures.

Security forces are reportedly keeping in touch with Kuki CSOs to facilitate the rescue of Thoithoi and Thoithoiba, who were also abducted along with Johnson and are still in the captivity of the Kukis.

Amid tension gripping the state over the latest incident, a meeting was held at the chief minister's secretariat though there is no report of any specific search operations conducted by state and central security forces in suspected areas to rescue the two remaining Meetei youths.

The abduction of three civilians who went for an Army recruitment rally, followed by the holding of two as hostages by Kuki militants, has been condemned as an act of terrorism by All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) .

The organisation also demanded the safe release of the two youths while asserting that union home minister Amit Shah, and Manipur DGP and security advisor should be held responsible if anything unwanted happens to the captives.

Addressing the media flanked by members of AMUCO, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, and All Manipur Women's Voluntary Organisation (AMAWOVA), AMUCO president Ph Nando Luwang stated that the three individuals were abducted by Kuki militants on their way to attend an Army recruitment rally at Keithelmanbi.

One of the captives, Ningombam Johnson, was rescued by security forces, but the remaining two - Oinam Thoithoi and Thokchom Thoithoiba - are still being held hostage.

Nando criticised the Central government for failing to act decisively, even as civilians remain in captivity.

He pointed out that this is not an international conflict where captives are legally held but rather an act of terrorism within the state, necessitating strict measures from the Centre.

Voicing dissent over central security forces' inability to rescue the two hostages, despite having knowledge of the captors' identities and location of the hostages, he urged officials, including the DGP, security advisor, and units like the Assam Rifles, to take immediate steps to secure release of the hostages.

Nando also cautioned that in case the two civilians could not be rescued, union home minister Amit Shah, DGP, and security advisor should be accountable for any undesired incidents.

He further demanded the government to reject any form of negotiation with the Kuki militants and to issue public statements on the progress of the rescue efforts.

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