Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Thangjam Sanathoi Devi, president of the JAC constituted in connection with the abduction, appealed to all concerned to release the two drivers on humanitarian ground.
Mini truck driver Thangjam Romen alias Naocha (26) s/o Tomal of Yumnam Khunou and second driver Heikrujam Ibomcha (35) s/o late Irabot of the same locality left Imphal for Jiribam on September 14 to ship in betel leaves.
They were hired by three betel leaf agents namely Lamabam Indrajit of Joypur Khunou, Ningthoujam Deban of Thanga Ngaram and Jongkhalai of Joypur Khunou Maning.
Ibomcha, Romen and Jongkhalai went together. After loading the mini truck with betel leaves at Jiribam, they started for Imphal at around 4 pm of September 17.
But they were stopped about 5 Kms away from Barak bridge and held hostage by ZUF as Jongkhalai informed his family through mobile phone.
As conveyed by Jongkhalai, Rs 20 lakh should be paid or other agents namely Indrajit and Deban should come to ZUF.
There was another telephone call yesterday. This time the ransom amount was reduced to Rs 5 lakh. A few minutes later, the abductors called again and threatened that they should not be held accountable if anything unwanted happens to the two drivers in the event of the failure to pay the ransom amount by September 27.
Whereas the two agents staying at home have been paying little attention to the matter, the two drivers are married men and sole bread winners of their respective families, Sanathoi said while appealing to all concerned to release the two drivers on humanitarian ground.
Source: The Sangai Express
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