IMPHAL, July 4: Women folks of Takyel Kolom Leikai and students of Budhimanjuri Junior High School today staged a sit in protest demanding release of Aheibam Johnson a student of the junior high school who has been allegedly recruited by some militant outfit.
The student identified as Aheibam Johnson, 15 son of (L) Khogen and staying alone with his grandmother had been allegedly recruited by a local identified as Kanhai to a UG group some three months ago.
The boy had remained traceless since April 8.
Speaking to media persons, the grandmother of the student, Aheibam Purnimashi said, on April 8 evening when she returned home the boy was found to be missing.
She said she called Johnson’s sister in Changangei and enquired if she had any knowledge of Johnson’s whereabouts.
She was informed by the sister that Johnson had visited her house along with their local elder Kanhai.
Kanhai was present at his house, when she further enquired there, however Johnson was not there, she recollected.
She further told media persons that Kanhai informed her that Johnson was staying with one Abujam Lamphel at Changangei.
However Johnson was found there also, she said and since then the boy had remained traceless.
Kanhai was arrested by the police sometime later after which he allegedly confessed that the boy had been handed over to the UG group by himself and Lamphel, she further told media persons.
She also urged all concerned parties to release the boy at the earliest considering the sorry plight of herself and the innocent boy.
Further assisting Johnson’s grandmother, one of Johnson’s classmates and friend, who was also present at the sit in protest told media persons that Kanhai had earlier instigated him to accompany him and even showed him a hand grenade to lure him.
He had also tried to lure him with promises of money and other things, the boy added.