Truck driver, handyman kidnapped

Our Correspondent Imphal | January 3   Efforts are on to rescue a truck driver and a handyman kidnapped by a suspected Kuki militant group from Imphal-Dimapur road on the eve of New Year.   A source claimed Sunday the militant outfit has demanded Rs 20 lakh ransom from the families of the duo. The kidnapping took place in Kalapahar area under Kangpokpi police station in Senapati district around 8:30 pm.   The armed kidnappers abandoned the truck somewhere between Kangpokpi and Kalapahar, the source said. Sources in Kangpokpi Police said a case has taken up over the incident and efforts are on to rescue the driver and handyman.

  It is reported that an unspecified number of armed militants whisked away the duo from near the house of one Shanu Bhe Bahadur.   In a separate incident, a cadre belonging to Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF) was arrested by personnel of 30 Assam Rifles during operation in Kangpokpi area on December 31 around 3:30 pm.   One 7.65 pistol and one magazine along with two live rounds were recovered from the possession of the KRF cadre, sources informed.