Free abducted officials, demand Power employees
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 13 2009: Decrying abduction of two engineers of the Electricity Department over ransom demand by some armed persons who identified themselves as cadres of the proscribed United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) and demanding their safe release, staff of the Department working in its head office at Keishampat today observed cease their work and staged a protest demonstration i front of the office gate here.

Similar protest demonstrations were also staged the family members of the two abducted engineers and the local people at different places demanding the safe release of the abducted officials.

Thangjam Tomalchand (58) of Khurai Thangjam Leikai, who is the Executive Engineer in Tamenglong Division of the Electricity Department and Leitanthem Mangi (56) of Kongpal Chanam Leikai, who is an SO in the same Division have been allegedly abducted over a ransom demand of Rs 15 crores from the Department.

The two officials have reportedly went out together along with one contractor identified as Moirangthem Loya alas Bolchu of Khurai Thangjam Leikai from the residence of Tomalchand in the morning of November 6 .

Decrying the abduction and demanding the safe release of the two engineers, staff and other officials of the Electricity Department office at Keishampat today observed cease work strike and staged a protest demonstration in front of the office gate.

Power Dept employees staging a protest to demand the release of two officials

Placards inscribed with slogans like 'Stop abduction for ransom', 'Give up the habit of abducting officials for ransom demand', 'Release the abducted engineers of the Electricity Department immediately', etc were seen being used during the demonstration.

Under the banner of 'Release EE Thangjam Tomalchand, who is the president of Khurai Genial Club and others who have abducted along with him for the sake of worried family members and public', the Khurai Genial Club also organised a similar protest demonstration at Khurai Thangjam Leikai today.

Talking to mediapersons, wife of Tomalchand, Thangjam Ongbi Sorojini, who participated in the protest demonstration, clarified that her husband has no enmity with any UG group or individuals and since her husband has been abducted in connection with ransom demand from the Electricity Department, the Department and the UPPK should bring about a solution so as to ensure the safe release of the abducted persons at the earliest possible.

Placards with slogans like 'Those working for the public should listen to the public', 'Know the value of human life', 'Innocent should not be made scapegoat', etc were displayed at the protest site.

Sorojini further informed that her husband had left home for his office at Tamenglong at around 9 am on November 6.From that day, no contact could be established nor his whereabouts as well as those who have gone along with him could be known until Tuesday (November 10), when information was relayed from his office informing that they are in the custody of UPPK.

Meira Paibis of Kongpal Chanam Leikai Angom Thong also staged a Wakat Meepham in front of the gate of the Electricity Department today demanding safe release of the abducted engineers.

Participating in the Wakat Meepham, Leitanthem Ongbi Gambhini, wife of Mangi, informed that memorandum in connection with the abduction of the two engineers have already been submitted to the Electricity Department and the Power Minister.

While urging the Government to ensure safe release of these abducted persons, Gambhini also disclosed that her husband is diabetic patient who has also been undergoing treatment for stone case.

Meanwhile, information received by the press said that UPPK has communicated to the family members of the abducted engineers clarifying that the abduction has nothing to do with a ransom demand of Rs 15 crores but with failure of submitting a detailed report on misuse of Rs 15 crores by the Department.