Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2009:
Two Engineers of the Power Department who were reportedly abducted by a UG group on November 6 last were set free outside Manipur yesterday even as another person taken captive by unidentified gunmen has been found dead.
After being set free, EE in Tamenglong Division of Power Department Thangjam Tomalchand of Khurai Thangjam Leikai and Section Officer Leitanthem Mangi of Kongpal Chanam Leikai came hiring a Taxi and reached their respective homes today evening.
EE Tomalchand turned down the request of media-persons for a briefing as he cited tiredness while SO Mangi has been hospitalised as his health is not well.
Meanwhile, 37-year old AS Ringphami s/o AS John of Maileng village in Phungyar sub-division, who had been reportedly abducted by heavily armed unidentified armed persons on November 28 last was found dead at Kasom village, about 8 kms to the south of Kasom Khullen yesterday.
Posted in Chingai Block, Ukhrul district, AS Ringphami was working as a Lambu.
Police suspect that he may have been beaten up to death.
One club had also been recovered from the site where the body was found.
According to police report, Ringphamei was abducted by about 60 armed persons from Tarong bus waiting shed and his lifeless body discovered by a at around 4 pm hunting party near a densely forested area, which is about 100 metres from Kasom Khunou junction along the Phungyar-Sita road.
The victim's brother AS Vaorei told newspersons that Ringphamei had carried Rs 50,000 to purchase timber, at the time of leaving home along with the driver of a Tata truck.
the driver was reportedly left behind at Tarong village by the armed persons.
Ringphamei is survived by his wife, two sons and same number of daughter.
The grief-stricken brother also prayed to the almighty that the cruel fate that befell on Ringphamei be the last.
In condemning the killing, representatives of Tangkhul Naga Aze Longphang and Kasom Khullen Sub Division Development Association strong lamented that abductors carried out the killing inspite of fervent appeals being made for Ringphamei's release.
Information was also conveyed to a media team that villagers of Kasom Khullen, Khunthak, Khunou, Tarong and nearby villages searched for Ringphamei, only to end tragically with an unknown caller using Ringphamei's mobile phone and informing AS vaorei of his younger sibling being done to death at Khongphei village.