IMPHAL, January 19: Locals of Kanglatongbi and Saikhul area today staged a sit in protest in their respective areas against the kidnapping of three workers by suspected Kuki militants from separate work sites.
Two labourers engaged in black topping work of the National Highway 2 at Kanglatombi were allegedly kidnapped on January 17, while another labourer engaged in similar work at the Imphal-Sugnu road was kidnapped on January 16.
Womenfolk of Kanglatombi area staged a sit in protest at their locality demanding the safe release of the two workers kidnapped from the area around 9 pm of January 17.
The protestors while, condemning the kidnapping of the two workers identified as Tata DI driver Maibam Tomba, 33 of Thoubal Nepra Company and Thongam Shanta 40 of Thoubal Athokpam, also appealed against kidnapping of people for ransom.
On the other hand, a similar kind of sit in protest was staged at Shaikhul area decrying the other kidnapping.
The labourer identified as Asem Tomba, 35 son of Kala of Thoubal Leishangthem Leikai was allegedly kidnapped on January 16 around 6.30 pm from the workers’ make-shift camp by suspected armed Kuki militants who came in a Tata Magic Van.
Sources further said that the Tata Magic van was also hijacked by the suspected Kuki militants from Leitanpokpi area before using it to kidnap the labourer.