IMPHAL, April 26: In the wake of rising child kidnapping cases in the state, a militant outfit has claimed custody of the class VII student of Don Bosco High School, Chingmeirong T Rahul and demanded Rs 3 lakhs as ransom from the school authorities for the safe release of the boy.
Student bodies including the All Manipur Students Union, Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, Kangleipak Students’ Association, Student Welfare Association of Kangleipak and Student Union of Kangleipak today convened a press conference at the AMSU headquarters in this regard.
Speaking to media persons DESAM general secretary Thoithoi said, a militant outfit has claimed that T Rahul is presently in its custody and that the school authorities should pay a ransom of Rs 3 lakh for the safe release of the boy. He however did not identify the outfit.
Reacting strongly against the demand the spokesperson of the students bodies said, ‘Such acts should be condemned by one and all as an act of terrorism and the concerned outfit should be branded as a terrorist outfit. ‘
Such acts of terrorism have happened in the past as well and as such the time has come for the people of the state to take a stand against such acts, he said.
Spokesperson Thoithoi further said, ‘Kidnapping someone and demanding ransom has become a thriving business in the state, and it should be contained at the earliest. The general public should be vigilant on the nefarious activities of militant imposters.’
The laxity on the part of the state police force has only strengthened these forces of terror and there are numerous instances when the law enforcers have themselves been found to be involved in such acts, he added.
He further appealed to all concerned on behalf of the student bodies to leave schools as a free zone and not to continue such acts.
He has further appealed the concerned outfit to release the boy without any harm.
DESAM general secretary Arambam Thoithoi, AMSU general secretary Dipanjit Ningthoujam, KSA general secretary Yumnam Pradipkumar, SWAK general secretary Sinam Punsiba, SUK vice president Laikhuram Santosh attended the press conference.
Takhellambam Rahul Singh, 12 son of T Sunil Singh of Ngaikhong Khullen, Bishnupur district had remained traceless since April 21 on the way from his school to his boarding.