Manipur: Youths ‘kidnapped’ after taking wrong turn; one rescued, hunt on for 2
Rescued youth claims that he and his friends were “held in captivity by armed men in Kangpokpi district and he was physically assaulted before being released”
Security forces in Manipur are making all-out efforts to trace two of the three youths who were reported to have been abducted by armed men in Manipur's Kangpokpi district three days ago, police have said. One of the three has already been rescued.
N Johnson Singh, who was rescued by the army, and his two friends had set off for the SSC GD recruitment test for central forces at New Keithelmanbi in Manipur’s Imphal West district, but a wrong turn on the way landed them in the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi, a police official said.
The three hail from Thoubal district.
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Held captive, assaulted
Singh was safe and handed over to the police, while Th Thoithoiba Singh and O Thoithoi Singh were still missing, the official said.
However, speaking to the media after being rescued, Singh claimed that they were “held in captivity by armed men in Kangpokpi district and he was physically assaulted before being released”.
Singh had a swollen cheek and bruises on his body were noticed, the police said.
Youths appeal to CM
On Sunday (September 29), a video surfaced featuring the two missing youths appealing to Chief Minister N Biren Singh for their release.
In response to the appeal by the two missing youths, the chief minister said on Sunday he held a meeting with both ruling and Opposition legislators to discuss the situation.
“Held a meeting with all the MLAs from both the ruling and opposition parties at my secretariat today. We addressed the current situation, focusing on the abduction of two innocent youths by militants. We condemn such heinous acts, and our government is working to secure their safe release,” he shared on social media.
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Police statement
The state police and the central forces have been searching for them after the youths were reported missing by their families, the official said.
The police said in a statement that senior officers are monitoring the situation.
“In connection with the case of two youths, who were allegedly abducted by miscreants on September 27 in Kangpokpi district, security forces are making all-out efforts to rescue the missing/kidnapped youths as quickly as possible,” the police said in the statement.
(With agency inputs)
