Drivers abduction : Khurai road blocked
23-May-2022
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 22: Demanding immediate release of the two truck drivers who have allegedly been abducted by a suspected militant group from a location between Jiribam and Noney, residents of Khurai Puthiba Leikai and Khurai Kongpal Chingangbam Leikai blocked Khurai Lamlong Road and staged a sit in today. The crucial Imphal-Ukhrul road passes through Khurai Lamlong road.
Shops and vegetable vendors in and around Lamlong Bazar were also closed during the protest demonstration which was organized under the aegis of Khurai Social Youth Club.
According to victims’ families, the whereabouts of truck driver Thangjam Pal of Khurai Puthiba Leikai and co-driver Maibam Mani of Khurai Kongpal Chingangbam Leikai is still not known.
Speaking to the media, Pal’s wife Thangjam ongbi Rojita claimed that her husband informed her on May 17 that they have been abducted by ZUF cadres in a telephonic conversation.
She went on to assert that her husband and Mani were hired to take fertilizers from Jiribam by one Takhelmayum Robin of Khurai Thoudam Leikai.
The victim’s wife claimed that Robin has been evading the matter although 'he initially told her family not to worry.'
Khurai Social Youth Club (KSYC) president Yumnam Ronindro condemned the abduction of the innocent truck drivers in the strongest terms and demanded their safe release.
Saying that incidents of abducting and harassing drivers along the National Highways for ransom has become a routine matter, he appealed to all groups and individuals not to make drivers a scapegoat.
He also urged Chief Minister N Biren and the State Government to rescue the truck drivers while warning that the local clubs, womenfolk and locals of Khurai area will intensify the agitation if the demand is not heeded.
On the other hand, Takhellambam Robin refuted the charges levelled against him and claimed that he has no connection with the abduction of the two drivers.
Speaking to reporters at his residence, Robin claimed that he too was informed of the abduction by Pal through his mobile phone on May 18.
Saying that he is neither a transport contractor nor a staff of the Agriculture Department, Robin claimed that he, however, had informed about the abduction to the Agriculture Department.
He conveyed that the Agriculture Department had communicated with the abductors to release the two drivers.