KANGPOKPI, June 14: Kidnapping of drivers and extortion threats along the National Highway 2 within Sadar Hills continues unabated despite all the cautions from CSOs and stern warnings from various SoO groups including the Kuki National Front.
Early this morning at around 4:30, an inter-state bus driver identified as Sanatomba was kidnapped by unidentified armed miscreants in civil dress along National Highway 2 between Kalapahar and Keithelmanbi.
The bus was proceeding towards the state capital from Dimapur side.
After the armed miscreants kidnapped the driver, his assistant drove the innocent passengers and reached Imphal safely.
The vehicle bearing regd. no. MN05C-2558 belonging to Network Travels, Imphal plying between Imphal and Guwahati.
The district Addl SP immediately swung into action moments after receiving information of the incident at Kangpokpi Police Station in collaboration with the Assam Rifles personnel.
A hectic search operation led by the Addl SP Kangpokpi was conducted in and around Kalapahar and Keithelmanbi areas for nearly 4 hours.
Consequent upon the police and AR personnel action, the abducted driver was reportedly released around 8 am from near Keithelmanbi while the police contact the Network Travels at Imphal they also reportedly confirmed that their driver has reached home safely.
Sadar Hills women bodies earlier held a protest rally at Kangpokpi vehemently denouncing the culture of kidnaps, extortions, harassment of traders including women and other anti-social activities along the National Highway within Sadar Hills.
While the bandh culture of Manipur has already render tremendous hardships to its denizens, such threatening culture of extortions, kidnapping, abductions, harassment of innocent drivers along the National Highway-2 in Sadar Hills has become a matter of headache as well as a shame particularly for the communities dwelling in the areas.
The numerous situations by far have obviously portrayed the insecurity of innocent commuters and drivers in particular along the highway and draw the attention of the State government in implementing innovative measures to curb such anti-social activities before it is too late.
Mass involvement is also one key factor to eradicate such menacing culture along the highway particularly by concern areas populace.
