Police rescue student Minister Parijat praises police,
hands out Rs 20,000 reward
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 23 2010: The police today successfully secured the release of the college student, Yumnam Manaoba (23) of Yourbung, four days after he was kidnapped by armed activists of KCP (MTF) headed by City Meitei and arrested two persons involved in the kidnapping.

Praising the state police force and its intelligence network in the rescue of the son of his worker, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ph Parijat called for the need to put an end to the trend of kidnapping of people for ransom.

Senior SP, Imphal West district police, L Kailun said that a combined team of Imphal West and East police commandos rescued the kidnapped student from the house of one Khaidem Nabakumar (31), son of Kh Thambalgou of Samurou Awang Leikai under Wangoi police station of Imphal West this afternoon.

Minister Parijat, rescued Manaoba, SrSP Kailun and father Y Megha; Addl SP AK Jhaljit, who played a pivotal role in the rescue operation, is seen in the background

Manaoba, studying in Birmangol College, Sawombung in Imphal East, son of Y Megha, a worker of the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ph Parijat, was kidnapped by miscreants who identified themselves as activists of KCP(MTF)-City Meitei at about 10.30 pm of July 19 last from his home on demand for money, contract work and job quota from the Minister.

He was rescued from the house when Imphal West and East police commandos under the supervision of additional SP, AK Jhaljit and DSP Ibocha conducted a search operation following a tip-off on the hiding of the student in Samurou areas, the Senior SP said while briefing reporters at the conference hall of his office this evening.

During the operation, an activist of the KCP(City Meitei faction) involved in the kidnapping identified as Nepram Priyojit @ Nanao (15), son of N Biren of Leimakhong Chingmang was arrested.

One 9 mm pistol with a magazine loaded with eight live rounds was recovered from his possession, he said.

The owner of the house, where the student was kept as hostage, Khaidem Nabakumar was also taken into custody.

Since the day of kidnapping of the student, Imphal East and West police commandos have been conducting search operations in various places to hunt the kidnappers, and thus rescued the student today, he said.

The SrSP expressed gratitude to the people for extending co-operation to the police in the efforts to rescue the student during the search operations.

Police handed over the student to his father Megha this evening in the presence of Minister Ph Parijat.

Parijat, who lauded the police and its intelligence networks in the rescue operation of the student unharmed, said, "Let's abolish the culture of kidnapping people for ransom" .

He also asserted that many "gangs" were indulging in kidnapping of the sons when they could not find their fathers in Lamlai area.

This has happened several times, Minister Parijat pointed out.

"I do not consider the KCP(City Meetei) which is behind the kidnapping of young people as a revolutionary group.

They are a gang terrorizing the people.

The Government is trying to eliminate such gangs," Parijat said.

Clarifying on the works of infrastructure development at JNIMS, Porompat, the Health Minister said that his department (health department) has nothing to do with the works.

The works are handled by the PWD.

His department is not involved in awarding contract works of the JNIMS.

Besides, the Institute is run by a society, and all the appointments are done by the Society under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

Charges levels against him by the KCP (City Meetei) were all baseless ones, Parijat clarified expressing suspicion some vested interest persons behind the charges level to him as part of assassination of his political career.

The minister also praised the SPs of both Imphal east and west districts, their under rank officers and personnel for their bravery service in the rescued of the student unharmed.

He also gave a reward of Rs 20,000 to the police for their achievement.

In interaction with reporters, the rescued student, Manaoba, recalled that he was first taken to a house at Lamlai hill by the kidnappers by folding his eye with hand and leg tied.

Later they shifted him to another house again.

At their captivity, the kidnappers did not torture or harass him except when they contacted with his father for talk but Fooding was not supply well, he added.

Before, police rescued the students, hundreds of students carried out a rally at Lamlai demanding unconditional release of their colleague taken captivity by underground.

The rally was marched from Yourbung to Lamlai on the stretch of the Imphal-Ukhrul road at about 11 am.

They urged unconditional release of their colleague crying that it is not humane act to abduct student for ransom.

Students of various schools located in and around Lamlai area in their school uniforms took part in the rally.

"Let not the students' victim of ransom, allow the students to study in a peaceful environment, we hate culture of kidnapping people for ransom, release immediately our friend," they shouted during the rally.