Imphal, July 17 2010: Villagers of Khangabok in Thoubal district today staged a sit-in protest against child soldier recruitment at Khangabok Bazar.

Villagers said that a minor boy of the locality abducted by some persons and handed over to an underground group.

Fourteen-year old Md Masali son of Md Kora of Khangabok Hayel Labuk was abducted by some youths in the afternoon of June 19 last and handed over to an underground outfit to join as their cadre.

His whereabouts is not yet known to the family.

Family and villagers revealed that two youths identified as Hamom Kiran (19) of Khangabok Sorok Wangma and Moirangthem Suresh (23) of Khangabok Mayai Leikai had abducted the boy.

Charging that the two youths handed over the boy to an underground outfit to recruit has their cadre villagers formed a JAC in a meeting held today after the sit-in protest.

The meeting resolved to appeal the underground group to release the boy considering the woes of the parents.

They also said that the boy was a physically challenge one, he will not be fit for joining underground reiterating their demand to release him on or before July 23 .

If the plea of the people are not heard and fail release, villagers under the banner of the JAC formed today will launch various forms of agitations.

On the other hand, the two alleged recruiters, arrested by the police in a follow up action to the complaint lodged by the father of the boy, have been sent to jail after Thoubal police produced them in the court on June 26 last.

Police had charged that they were recruiting agent and officer of the PREPAK outfit but villagers are demanding clarification from outfit regarding the matter of recruiting the boy to the outfit.

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