Abducted driver released, stir called off
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 17 2014:
Konthoujam Devan (42) s/o K Bijoy of Thingkhangphai village, Churachandpur district, the driver of the Tata Winger (MN06L-6311) plying along Imphal-Churachandpur road who was reportedly abducted by suspected cadres of a Kuki underground outfit from Keishampat Parking on August 13 at around 2.30 pm has been set free.
Recalling the ordeal he had gone through, Devan informed some unidentified persons hired his Tata Magic on the pretext of travelling up to Sugnu from Keishampat parking area at around 2.30 pm of August 13 .
But after reaching Sugnu he was forcibly blind folded and put in another vehicle and then taken to an unknown place.
He further informed that his captors served a ransom amount of Rs 7 lakh for his release to Tata Winger Drivers' Association which is registered under Tiddim Bus Owners Transport Co-operative Society Limited.
H Kullamni, general secretary of All Manipur Road Transport Drivers' & Motor Workers' Union informed that Devan reached his home at around 11 pm of August 13 itself after going through a hard time in the hands of his captors and announced that the proposed stir of stopping passenger service in condemnation of the abduction with effect from 5 am of August 16 has been called off following the release of the driver.
Saying that there have been many instances in the past where drivers were kidnapped while some got killed in connection with monetary demand, he appealed to all concerned not to repeat such inhuman act in future.