Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 12
Manipur police commandos on Friday rescued three labourers kidnapped by militants. The labourers were rescued after an encounter with the militants in Imphal East district, according to police.
The labourers were rescued unharmed from the hill range between Boljang and New Boljang villages under Thoubal Dam police station after about two hours of exchange of fire early Friday morning.
One AK-56 assault rifle was recovered from captors’ hideout area in the further operation after the cross firing ceased, the police claimed. The police suspect the kidnappers to be cadres of Kuki National Liberation Army (KNLA).
The three rescued labourers were reportedly engaged in the construction of a bridge at Laikhong village near Nongpok Keithelmanbi under the PMGSY scheme, and were kidnapped by suspected Kuki based militants on the night of February 7, according to the police. The police commandos launched the rescue operation after a complaint was lodged at Thoubal Dam police station on February 11.
On receiving the information, a team of police commandos attached with Imphal East district police commandos launched an intensive search operation in the hill range of Keihao, Henjang, Kamuching forest. After the continuous search operation, the police commandos engaged in an exchange of fire with the suspected militants Friday morning at the hill range between Boljang and New Boljang village. The militants initiated the firing allegedly on seeing the police commandos approaching the areas, the police said.
After more than two hours of cross firing, the armed Kuki militants fled the area leaving behind the persons they kidnapped.
There was no report of inflicting casualty on either side in the cross fire. However, during a search operation in the hideout area of the militants, an AK-56 assault rifle was recovered, the police added.
Quoting the statement of the rescued labourers, the police claimed that they were abducted from the makeshift camp they were staying at by the suspected militants on ransom demand.
Manipur CM rewards Rs 10 lakh to rescue team
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh rewarded Rs 10 lakh to the Imphal East district police team, during a programme at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal on Friday. The Chief Minister also announced that commendation certificates would be given to all the personnel and officers, who took part in the operation.
During the programme, Biren Singh commended the team and said that that the police would deal anti-social elements, mischief mongers and law breakers with an iron hand. Urging the people not to give shelter to such miscreants, he stated that the search operation would continue till the abductors are nabbed.
DGP LM Khaute and other high ranking officers of Manipur Police Department were also present during the programme.
