Imphal, October 19: Four suspected underground cadres who were holed up at Lamdeng Makha Leikai under Lamshang PS with an abducted person narrowly escaped from the clutches of the Imphal police commandos and escort party of MLA Brajabidhu this afternoon.

In a statement Imphal West SP S Ibocha said that the militants left the Gypsy (MN6L-2175) after they came to learn that police had cordoned off the area and escaped.

Two persons were rescued, said the statement.

Sources said that Girimohan and Laishram Momocha were abducted by the suspected militants from Iroishemba area yesterday at around 3.30 for failing to hand over the Rs two lakhs demanded by the outfit from the owners of Royal Motors.

Chungkham Bijoy of Kwakeithel Thounaojam Leikai is the owner of Royal Motors.

Girimohan who is the brother in law of Ch Bijoy along with a driver Momo-cha had gone on a Gypsy (MN-06L/2127) to pay Rs one lakh to the PREPAK cadres at Iroisemba area.

Sources added that Girimohan and Momacha were brought to Lamdeng Makha Leikai Khongnangkhong by their abductors this afternoon.

The abductors then asked Girimohan to go to a PCO at Lamshang Bazar to telephone the owner of Royal Motors to pay another Rs two lakhs.

While the abductors were waiting inside the Gypsy in the area, Lamshang Kendra MLA W Brajabidhu along with his escort unexpectedly came to the RDO office located at Lamshang Makha Leikai for some work.

On coming to know about the presence of some armed persons inside the Gypsy parked at Lamdeng Makha Leikai Khongnangkhong, the MLA's escort party immediately took position but could do nothing.

However they informed the Imphal West Dist Police commandos who rushed to the spot at around 4.15 pm from Langol Games Village, Kameng Mayang Langjing and Lamshang Bazar area.

Seeing the Commando team approaching from different direction, the four abductors immediately jumped down from the Gypsy and fled towards Choabikhong through the paddy fields.

The MLA escort personnel who had taken position nearby immediately began firing but failed to hit any of the abductors and thus the suspected PREPAK cadres escaped after climbing over the Langol Hills.

The four suspected PREPAK cadres are reported to have carried Lethod bombs, small arms and a sum of Rs one lakh along with them.

Both Momocha and the Gypsy are under the police custody.

Search operations were carried out till late in the evening in the areas the suspected PREPAK cadres made their escape.

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