Two Meitei individuals who were captured by Kuki miscreants and made to climb into an autorickshaw in an abduction attempt at Leimakhong Bazar in Kangpokpi district, Manipur narrowly escaped after the Indian Army arrived at the rescue around 2 pm on Friday.
The two persons are Konthoujam James, 41, son of K Gouramani of Awang Khunou Sabal Leikai, Imphal West and Laishram Sunder, 39, son of (L) L Manglemjao of Khangabok, Thoubal District. Sunder is a VDF personnel.
Both were coming in a car to work for one Athokpam Raju who had been engaged as a contractor at Leimakhong Army Camp. They drove past the point where they were supposed to meet the contractor and reached Leimakhong Bazar area by mistake.
They were stopped and checked by Kukis and immediately captured on discovering that both were Meiteis, as per sources.
As they were being forcefully put inside an autorickshaw, the Army personnel of 57th Mountain Division deployed at Station H/Q on the opposite side noticed the abduction attempt and rushed to the rescue, sources said.
In the attempt to rescue the Meiteis, a physical altercation ensued with the Kuki miscreants.
Sources said that a mob gathered and started pelting stones toward the Station H/Q, raising allegations that the Army was taking the side of the Meiteis.
The two rescued Meiteis were admitted at the military hospital and given first aid. L Sunder sustained minor injuries while K James was severely injured.
OC Sekmai Police Station immediately arrived at Leimakhong Army Camp on receiving information.
However, the duo could not be evacuated as the passage was blocked by the Kukis, and they had to stay inside the Army camp. They were later transported around 7 pm by the Army.
