Repeated abduction by militants worries Manipuris

IMPHAL - A series of abductions in Manipur has created an atmosphere of uncertainity and insecurity among the people.

In back-to-back incidents of kidnapping, unknown miscreants abducted a woman-Laishram ningol Aheibam Ongbi Rina and a minor irrigation section officer G. Manisana Sharma.

On January 3, Rina, an Anganwadi worker, was called by two women from her residence at Wangkhei Thangapat Mapal.

A complaint was registered at the Porampat police station.

Provoked by the incident, local women of the neighborhood staged a sit in protest, condemning he act and demanding her safe release.

Though Rina has now returned, but the motive and the involvement of those behind the abduction is not clear, as her family members refrained from saying anything.

“We should shun all kinds of violence in the state and pursue peace instead. Only then, there will be stability,” said Sheta, a local.

In another incident on January 4, suspected armed PULF militants abducted G. Manisana Sharma of Charangpat Bengi Mamang Leikai, section officer of minor irrigation department while he was on his way to his office.

Though G Manisana Sharma has been released, but whether he was abducted for ransom or for some other reason is still not clear.

Earlier angry staff members of the department under the aegis of All Manipur Minor Irrigation Department Employees Association staged a sit in protest demanding his safe release.

The family members of the victim were traumatized during the period he went missing.

“Nowadays in Manipur, we are witnessing the trend of kidnapping employees to demand money from various offices. It is happening frequently. I request the concerned people not to do resort to such acts,” Sanajaoba, son of G. Manisana.

Government officials felt that the militants are affecting the work of the department.

“We can’t work freely. They are threatening us all the time. I’m against it and condemn it,”said Ibotombi, official Manipur Minor Irrigation.

Recently two Airtel employees were abducted.

Though the victims were released, the incidents have caused fear and uncertainty in the minds of people.

Increasing cases of abductions have become a serious problem for the law and order authorities in the state. (ANI)