Imphal, April 09: Heinrich Wolfgang, a peace trainer from Germany who was in the custody of Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) for almost 18 days was today released in Sadar hills area this afternoon.

The foreign national Wolfgang was formally handed over to the V Silthou, convenor of the newly formed Joint Action Committee and Kh Chongloi, Pastor of Kuki Christian Church in Sadar hills area in front of mediapersons around 4 pm today.

Talking to media soon after his release, wolfgang said "no illtreatment" was given by the abductors while he was in custody.

He said "he lived together with the KLA cadres in a hut inside a jungle".

He said he was treated well and he had no problem while he stayed with the Kuki militants.

During his stay in the captivity, he came to know the real problems of the hill people, the German national told the media.

"Better understanding has also been developed with the villagers".

When asked, Heinrich Wolfgang admitted that the ongoing Germany funded projects in Manipur will continue or not depends on the Board of Governors of BED.

He thanked the people of Manipur for their cooperation.

While handing over Wolfgang to the Church leaders, a spokesman of the KLA Lenin said that Wolfgang was released on two grounds-one is in the interest of the public appeal and other is related with the conclusion of the "questioning".

The German was abducted for visiting the area without any requisite permission and also for questioning, he added.

Expressing that repeated complaint has been lodged for neglecting most of the Kuki villages in Maphou dam area in Thoubal district and Sadar hills while expediting development projects, he said that some of the information on the ongoing projects were also collected from the foreign national.

Regarding the alleged demand of Rs 1 crore as ransom, he pointed out that "no ransom" has been taken for releasing the German from their custody.

He was released around 4 pm.

A four member team of United NGO Mission, Manipur had been camping to seek release of Wolfgang.

He reached Imphal around 5.30 pm.

He is now at Hotel Nirmala Room no 205.The International Manipur 'Mother's Association (IMMA) today organized a one day sit in protest (dharna) at Keishampat near power house, Imphal demanding the immediate safe release of German National, Heinrich Wolfgang who is now in the custody of KLA.

Around one hundred mothers of IMMA led by Khuman Leima participated in the dharna, According to a press release issued by Kh Gourachandra Singh, President of MUSU (Manipur University Students' Union), the Union appealed for the safe release of the German National, Heinrich Wolfgang who was abducted by the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), on March 23.