Combined force rescue mason kidnapped by UKLF cadres
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 16 2011:
A mason kidnapped by cadres of UKLF, a signatory of the SoO, for a ransom demand of ' 2 lakh was rescued today by a combined force of Bishnupur police commandos and 16 Maratha Light Infantry from Molshang Kuki village in Thangjing range where he was kept concealed by the kidnappers.
A cadre of the outfit Thangminlen alias Lenin (30) of Chandel district presently residing at Tuibong village of Churachandpur said to be the assistant finance secretary, who was allegedly involved in the kidnapping, was also apprehended by the combined force.
A 9 mm pistol loaded with two live rounds and an Activa Honda (MN01/1817) were seized from the nabbed cadres.
The rescued mason was identified as Oinam Sanatomba (55) of Kiyamgei Khoirom Leikai, Imphal east district.
He was engaged in the construction of a culvert in Golmal village under Moirang PS of Bishnupur district.
He was kidnapped last night around 7.30 pm from the makeshift labour camp near the construction site.
UKLF cadres who came on two Activa Honda took him away at gun point police said adding that after taking the mason captive, the outfit demanded ' 2 lakh from the concerned contractor.
The combined force launched the rescued operation at various places in the Thangjing range from the early hour of today after geting information of the kidnapping.
The mason was found in a house in Molshang village when the combined force conducted a house to house search after cordoning off the village.
Rescued Sanatomba recalled that the cadres forced him to ride at the back of one of the Activa Honda while the other one followed at the rear.
After moving some distance, one of the scooters had to be abandoned due to a mechanical failure.
After reaching Molshang, he was forced to contact the contractor of his work over his mobile phone to come with ' 2 lakh for his safe release.
The kidnappers threatened him to kill him if the contractor failed to meet their demand, Sanatomba added.