Cops alerted to foil kidnapping: Gaikhangam
Follow up events of recent spurt in kidnapping of young boys
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 26 2012: Concerned with the recent spurt in the disappearances/kidnappings of young boys by armed elements, Home Minister Gaikhangam has said that police stations throughout the State have been alerted to foil such attempts by disruptive elements.

Speaking to newspersons at his official residence in Babupara today, the Home Minister grimly noted that some armed elements had been luring young students with money and other goods with the intention of recruiting them as child soldiers.

Observing that recent trend of targeting the young students clearly suggests failure of armed outfits to recruit mature individuals into the armed groups, he affirmed that strong instructions have been issued to all the police stations to check such cases.

In order to effectively tackle this disturbing trend, cooperation of both the parents and school authorities is paramount, expressed the home Minister.

Gaikhangam

To a query on the recent imbroglio over abduction of six Jessami villagers by some armed persons from the neighbouring village in Nagaland State, Gaikhangam said the 'disheartening' incident has subsided and normalcy already restored in the village.

As a pre-emptive measure against similar incident in the future, a police officer of SDPO-rank would be posted at Jessami along with deployment of a company of State security force at the earliest, confided the home Minister.

Acknowledging sentiments of the Jessami villagers consequent to the abduction episode, he opined that tension and anxiety that gripped the region has subsided to an appreciable level following direct intervention of the Chingai AC MLA MK Preshow Shimray and an IGP to negotiate safe release of the captives.

The Minister also informed that the Nagaland villagers, responsible for the abduction had apologised for their acts thus resulting in the return of peace at the border villages.

In case there is repetition of such incident Government of Manipur will not remain a mute spectator but will definitely take suitable action, asserted the Minister.

To another poser about army authorities claiming presence of camps of NSCN (IM) in Manipur, he remarked that officially there is neither no such camps within the territory of Manipur nor do the Government of Manipur recognises such a facility of the Naga rebel group.

Gaikhangam also clarified that inspite of the army's claim the Central Government had already been apprised not to entertain setting up of designated camps of NSCN (IM) in Manipur.

Regarding Government of Nagaland's proposed move for setting up a tourist spot at Tungjoy village, he informed that as the area is a disputed zone the Centre has been urged to settle the issue at the earliest.

A proposal would be made at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting for sufficient fund allocation to develop a road directly linking Dzuko Valley within the land of Manipur rather than travel to the tourist spot from the neighbouring State, affirmed the Minister.

Sharing his view on some of the mechanism put in place to improve the overall law and order situation, he said whether or not CCTV cameras installed in the city area is producing the desired result would be assessed minutely.

Confiding that assessment on the performance of the Home Department would be conducted every three months, Gaikhangam said efforts are on to streamline and update the Home Department's manpower and to transform the police department to a people-friendly organisation.