IMPHAL, January 25: Kuki Inpi,Saikhul and locals clubs of Ishikha and Yumnam Khonou have demanded the safe release of two masons, abducted from New Boljang village on January 22 within 36 hours.
At a press conference organised by Kuki Inpi, Saikhul, Student Club,Yumnam Khonou, Ishikha Youth Development Club and Ishikha Chanura Marup, M. Ramesh, Advisor of Student Club, said, “ The masons identified as Thangjam Dilip, 40, son of (L)Leibak Macha of Yumnam Khonou and Oinam Karon, 55, son of (L) Thambalmacha of Ishikha, engaged in road construction along the Imphal Saikul under the Prime Minsiter Gram Sadak Yojana were abducted by suspected Kuki miilitants on Jan, 22 around 6.30 pm from Khola.”
Appealing for the quick release of the masons without any conditions, he requested the cessation of such abductions for ransom.
Meanwhile, Tangkham Lupheng, president of Kuki Inpi, Saikhul, said, “ Suspected Kuki insurgents have been abducting masons engaged in the development work of the Saikhul area for many months even before Christmas. We condemn such kidnappings for ransom.”
“We have organised sit-in-protests in various occasions for the quick release of the abducted masons for the last few days. We have been appealing to stop this abduction of the innocent masons engaged in developmental work along the Imphal Saikhul Road.”
Continuing further, he said that they strongly condemned the act of this armed abductors and appealed for the quick and safe release of the two masons within 36 hours.
“A mass meeting of the locals of Saikhul and Sagolmang area will be held at Sagolmang Irema Lampak on January 27 to discuss such kidnapping incidents”, he informed.
Adding further, he said that the meeting will not only discuss the various abduction cases along the Imphal Saikhul road but also about measures to prevent such incidents in the area. The meeting will also pass a resolution to fight collectively against those who carried out such unwanted activities along the road.
“We appeal to the state home department to look after the security of the people residing along the road as the people along the road are not secure even if the state police and para military force are deployed in various areas,” he concluded.