Imphal, September 04, 2010: Two officials of the Food Corporation of India, who were abducted by suspected NSCN (K) cadres on August 31, were released unharmed in Senapati district yesterday, while on the other police continues to launch widespread operations in the valley areas to rescue an abducted senior State Engineer.

The two FCI officials, Delivery Assistants Elangbam Pishak and Laishram Ibomcha were abducted soon after they left their Senapati district headquarters office for home on August 31 afternoon.

The Naga People's Organization (NPO) which had fervently appealed to the abductors to release them safely, has expressed its gratitude to the captors for releasing them unharmed.

"We are thankful to the outfit for releasing the two officials safely," president of Senapati based NPO, M Dili informed this reporter.

The outfit had earlier informed the media that the two were being detained for non-distribution of rice and kerosene oil quota of Senapati district.

A police officer posted in the Naga dominated Senapati district said the two were freed near a waiting shed at the district headquarters around noon today.

The duo reportedly told Senapati police that they were not tortured nor harassed by their captors and that they were provided food of their choice while in custody, sources said adding their abduction was related with non-distribution of rice for Senapati district for quite a long period of time by the authorities concerned.

After giving their statements to the police in conformity with the FIR registered in connection with their abduction, the two officials headed for their respective homes at Imphal, the sources added.

Meanwhile, State police continue to launch massive search operations at suspected areas in the valley to rescue Superintending Engineer of Manipur Public Health Engineering Department, S Somikanta Singh, who was whisked away by unknown armed men from near his Ningthemkol residence here on August 1. "We have been conducting intense searc h operation in the valley areas particularly in the twin capital districts of Imphal West and Imphal East since we received report about his (Somikanta) abduction," a senior police officer said.

"No efforts are spared to rescue the engineer.

All police stations have been alerted to ensure fitting response to any situation," he said.

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