ZKL, TMNL condemn kidnapping of student
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, January 30 2024:
Zingsho Katamnao Long (ZKL), which represents the eastern Tangkhul students and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL/Tangkhul Youth Council) have strongly condemned the kidnapping of Tamreingam Shithung, a 19-year-old student in his second semester studying Geography at Liberal College, Luwangsangbam, in Imphal.
The kidnapping of the student, who is a native of Bungpa Khullen village in Kamjong district, but currently residing at Dewlahland in Imphal took place on January 29.In a statement, ZKL said that Tamreingam Shithung was grabbed and shoved into an A-Star vehicle by two unidentified miscreants dressed in olive green attire while on his way to apply for a scholarship with a friend.
The incident happened around 12 pm near the Mother Teresa Charity Home, located in Mantripukhri.
However, he was safely rescued by a police team around 9 pm the same day.
The students' organisation appealed to the people in the state to refrain from such unlawful activities, and warned that it would be constrained to take stringent action in case such incident is repeated in future.
"We also urge the state authorities to step up necessary measures to put in place the law and order across the capital city, which has been witnessing a rise in crime against the innocent civilians," it said.
"In times of volatile ethnic violence raging in the state since last year, the kidnapping of innocent student and demanding ransom; which is totally uncalled for, can further ignite urinecessary tension and flare-up between the peaceful communities," ZKL warned, while adding the incident deserved condemnation from all sections of the society.
Meanwhile, Tangkhul Youth Council (TMNL) has also denounced the kidnapping of Tamreingam Shithung, at a time when the state continues to be in a turmoil.
"While we are grateful to the state police force for the rapid action thereby avoiding a grave situation, we are equally aggrieved by the hush-hush rescue mission where no details has so been furnished on the crime perpetrators.
As a sane citizen of the state, we cannot help but be concerned of the collapsing law and order in the state where every citizen's lives seem to be at threat, irrespective of the ethnicity," TMNL said in another statement.
The Council urged the state government to take the matter seriously and restore the law and order situation in the state at the earliest.