Imphal, November 03: Executive Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Laithangbam Yaiskul and two persons (drivers) who were abducted by unidentified persons on October 30 were reportedly released on November 1.Even though the three reached their respective homes on the same day they were freed, the Executive Engineer's colleagues only came to know about his release when Yaiskul reported for duty today.

Yaiskul along with the drivers Tolen Singh and Basanta Singh were accosted and taken captive by some armed persons from the Engineer's Keibung oinam Leikai residence when they were heading out for the Nambul River Improvement Scheme work site.

while informing that Yaiskul was released a few hours after Tolen and Basanta were set free, police sources however conceded that identity of group, if any, involved in the abduction is yet to be established as the Engineer is being quizzed.

The abductions had been hampering smooth execution of the Rs 1.5 crore project as officials engaged in the scheme were reluctant to move out as incidents of Engineers being held captive and violent attacks at their residences had preceded the oct 30 abduction.

Some Engineers are said to have sought security cover due to the impeding threat on their lives.

mention may be made that suspected militants lobbed hand grenades at the private residences of PWD Chief Engineer Ng Rashtrapati and additional CE of the IFCD Md Aziz Khan on Nov 1 morning.

Moreover, three Engineers of the PHED were held captive by cadres of Kuki Revolutionary Army before they were freed after 18 days in the custody of the armed outfit.

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