IMPHAL, August 14: A Tata winger driver of the Tiddim Road Bus Owner Transport Cooperative Society Limited, Churachandpur has been allegedly kidnapped by unidentified persons on August 13.
The driver is identified as Konthoujam Deban, 42, son of K Bisoi of Thingkhamphai, Churachandpur.
The All Manipur Transport Drivers & Motors Working Union today said the kidnappers have demanded a ransom amount of Rs 7 lakh.
Organising secretary of the union, M Anil told the media today that kidnapping of the driver was established only when the society had called the driver on his mobile phone as part of their daily routine.
Yesterday, when the society called Deban to inquire about his whereabouts, an unidentified voice with a tribal accent answered and informed that the driver was in their captivity and demanded Rs 7 lakh as ransom as well as an annual tax from the cooperative society limited, he said.
Deban was driving Tata Winger bearing registration no MN 06L 6311, when he was kidnapped, he continued.
He further told the media at the union’s office that Deban was in service when he was kidnapped, and the exact place of his kidnapping cannot be ascertain as it was established only through the phone call.
Appealing to all concern to release the driver safe and sound within August 15, the drivers’ body has warned to stop all commercial vehicle service along the Tiddim Road from a 5am of August 16 till 5pm the next day.
Anil said failure to safely release the driver will evoke the union to take up severe forms of agitations.
The kidnappers didn’t reveal their identities, he said.