Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30 2009:
O Kunjeshwari Devi (57), wife of Oinam Ibopishak (59), Executive Engineer in Loktak Development Authority escaped an abduction attempt by unidentified armed persons this morning.
The incident occurred when Kunjeshwari and her daughter-in-law went to engage a cook (Brahmin) in connection with marriage function of one of her son at Oinam Mayai Leikai at about 9.30 am today.
The EE is a resident of Oinam Mamang Leikai in Bishnupur district.
Speaking to reporters this evening, Kunjeshwari said that she was going to contact one Shijagurumayum Dhaneshwar at Oinam Mayai Leikai for a marriage function.
As Kunjeshwari and her daughter-in-law approached the gate of the Brahmin, one armed man and a woman who were in a stationary Maruti van there jumped out and attempted to abduct her.
On reaching the spot, the man asked Kunjeshwari if she was not the wife of 'sir Ibopishak'.
To this, she replied in the affirmative.
But in the next moment, he brandished a small arm and pointed at her neck asking her to board the van.
He also pushed Kunjeshwari towards the van.
Mustering all her courage, Kunjeshwari somehow managed to escape but she lost her shawl in the process.
She collapsed at the mandop of the Brahmin, recounted the EE's wife.
The woman in the van who appeared to be in her mid thirties said that she too was an abducted.
She also reportedly asked Kunjeshwari to board the van saying that no harm would be done.
The man and the woman fled away when Kunjeshwari's daughter-in-law cried and raised alarm.
Interestingly, the man who came to abduct her also attended to Kunjeshwari who had then broken down.
But he left the place in the next moment, conveyed Kunjeshwari quoting local villagers.
Meanwhile, the Oinam Meira Paibi Lup, Tangleibung Semgatpa Naharol Oinam and Fancy Club Oinam have condemned the abduction attempt in the strongest term.
These bodies have also asked all concern to claim the incident with an explicit explanation.
It is reported that local people will be staging a protest demonstration at Oinam Bazar against the incident tomorrow.