House condemns kidnapping, bandh affects life in Manipur

Imphal, Mar 17 (UNI) Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and other members of the Manipur legislative assembly today condemned the kidnapping of religious leader Dr T Lungkim by the Kuki Liberation Army, while an agitation called by Kuki Students' Organisation affected life in hill areas of the state.

Mr Ibobi said Dr Lungkim(82) was kidnapped on January 17 from Molnom village, Senapati district and the KLA had demanded Rs one crore for his release. The state forces and army were maintaining a 24-hour vigil in the area suspected to be the stronghold of KLA.

''However, no operation was launched fearing the fate of Dr Lungkim,'' the chief minister said.

He said kidnappings should be universally condemned and assured the house that an investigation was in good progress.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Students' Organisation called a 24-hour strike from midnight last night to protest the kidnapping. The strike affected traffic in the hill areas and all inter state bus services were also cancelled.

So far no untoward incident was reported. The KSO had also threatened to call an indefinite road blockade in the hill areas from March 19 if Dr Lungkim was not released.

The chief minister appealed to the KSO and other organisations not to call a bandh but to work together to ensure the safe release of Dr Lungkim.

UNI NS PL VD KN1440