Mothers of the two missing lads from Akham, Imphal West, requested the miscreants responsible for their kidnapping to set the duo free so that they can prepare for the matriculation exam.
It is reported that Ningthoujam Anthony, 19, and Maibam Avinash, 16, went missing on Sunday after losing their way on a bike in the Kanglatombi area in Imphal West, considered a red zone during the ongoing communal conflict in Manipur. The two mothers, along with locals, staged a sit-in protest at Akham on Thursday, demanding the release by the responsible authorities.
Speaking to the media, Premlata, mother of Avinash, and Devarana, mother of Anthony, said that their sons were innocent kids just going for a ride at Sekmai when they disappeared.
They questioned the government for failing to trace the whereabouts of their sons, despite arresting two of the accused involved in the kidnapping. Emphasising that the kids are not associated with any groups, especially in the current conflict, as they are preparing for the matriculation exam next year, they requested the responsible authorities to set free the two students.
Meanwhile, the JAC Against the Missing of N Anthony and M Avinash announced the extension of the nine-hour statewide bandh called from Friday at 4 am for another 24 hours until 1 pm on Saturday. According to JAC member M Sunilkumar, the bandh was extended due to the government's failure to trace the whereabouts of the duo, despite apprehending two of the involved culprits.
He questioned whether the government had merely detained individuals unrelated to the case to suppress public movement.
Demanding quick discovery of the missing lads, he cautioned that a significant public movement would arise if the government fails to rescue the two kids within the 33-hour state-wide bandh.
Stating that the JAC would involve the public of Manipur if the government couldn't rescue the two kids within the stipulated time, he sought the cooperation and support of the public in the movement to find the two missing kids.
