Source: The Sangai Express
Lamka, September 19, 2009:
After spending almost seventy-two hours in captivity, the BDO of Saikot TD Block, Md Asraf Ali was released on September 17, with the family as well as the police denying any pay-off for his release.
Abducted on September 15 while returning home from Muolvaiphei village at around 3 pm, it had been reported that Rs.50 lakhs was initially demanded by his captors (who identified themselves as members of KLO/KLA Malsawm group) but later reduced the ransom amount to Rs.25 lakhs.
A caller who identified himself as Malsawm Kuki, secretary, Information & Publicity of the armed group informed this correspondent that the abducted BDO had been released on 'humanitarian ground' at around 2.05 pm of September 17 , and claimed that they received no ransom in exchange.
Justifying their action, the caller accused Md Ali of swindling development funds meant for the people, in particular the NREGS funds from which they themselves don't impose the typical 3% cut.
Further, Malsawm said that they are not a party to the Suspension of Operation (SoO) and are reigning under their own independent movement.
He also maintained that their action this time was a lesson for other officers in the Government services as well, and warned that next time if they are forced to resort to such action then it will be without any warning and may even go to the extreme.
'Our actions are not meant to flare up any communal tension either,' he added, while claiming that KLO/KLA is active in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
Md Ali allegedly surrendered himself at Kumbi Police Station after he was let off by his captors at around 4 pm.
IG Law and Order C Doungel, who was here to take stock of the situation, rushed to Moirang PS on learning of the release of Md Ali and accompanied him till Imphal.
Sources said that services of various civil societies and student bodies were roped in to secure the safe release of the BDO, and the KLO/KLA as well admitted that pressure from various civil organisations was one of the factors for releasing the abducted BDO on humanitarian ground.
It is also learnt that top officials of the Assam Rifles unit posted here also summoned the groups under SoO to take stock of the situation and put pressure on them to exert their influence for the release.
Mumtaz, the BDO's wife told mediapersons that she was relieved that her husband was released unconditionally.