Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 08, 2010:
Local people of Ikou raised an uproar and blocked Imphal-Saikul road for sometime this morning following abduction of one Longjam Basanta who is the founder of Ireima Evergreen English School, by some persons who identified themselves as cadres of KNF.
Longjam Basanta was abducted last night from his home.
Since early morning, a large crowd gathered at Ikou Bazar and soon the Imphal-Saikul road was blocked in protest against the abduction.
The blockade was cut short as Basanta was released safely at about 10.30 am.
However, a PIB (DW) statement claimed that Basanta was rescued by troops of 36 Assam Rifles from near Motbung.
Although the blockade was cut short, the crowd staged a protest demonstration condemning abduction for ransom.
Talking to media persons after his release, Longjam Basanta (44) s/o L Iboton of Ikou Bazar, said some unidentified persons numbering around six came to his house last night and took him captive in a car.
Then the armed persons who identified themselves as cadres of KNF took him to Chakot village where he was detained the night.
This morning the KNF cadres told Basanta that they were not abducting him for ransom.
Nevertheless, they demanded monetary assistance of Rs one lakh to the party.
They went on to threaten Basanta saying that he would be shot dead in case a certain percentage of the demanded amount is not paid by March 13. With this threat, the KNF cadres set him free.
The protest demonstration staged today against abduction of Basanta was participated by Meira Paibis of Dolaithabi, Pukhao, Koupak Nepali, Yengkhuman, Sadu Lampak Nepali, Ikou and Sadu Koireng.