Khandu seeks PM's intervention into kidnap by NSCN

Itangar, Feb 6 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has sought the Prime Minister's intervention into the reported abduction of youths by militant outfits for recruitment process.

Official sources said here today that Mr Khandu informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a day after the Wancho Students Union (WSU) claimed that the outfits, especially NSCN (K), were abducting youths in Tirap district.

''It is a matter of grave concern that despite the district being declared as Disturbed under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and deployment of Army, the outfit is carrying out their illegal activities with impunity,'' Mr Khandu said.

''This is high time to drive these militants out from Arunachal and to ensure immediate release of the kidnapped,''the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, the NSCN (K) had served demand notice on 13 villages under Longding, Pumao and Panchao circles of Tirap district to make available 227 numbers of youths for recruitment into their outfit.

They had also kidnapped 39 youths from Konnu, Konsa, Khasa, Jagan, Chongkhaw and Wakka villages during the last month.

Mr Khandu also spoke to Home Minister Shivraj V Patil and National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and apprised them that the kidnapped had been taken to the outfit's hideout in the forests of Myanmar.

''Since this issue assumes international dimension, it is beyond the means of state to deal with the problem. The return of kidnapped youths may not be possible unless Myanmar government drive the outfit out of their territory,'' he added.

He also spoke to Major General Jitender Singhg, GOC, 2 Division, Tinsukia and requested for stringent action to counter NSCN (K)'s illegal activities.

The state police have registered three cases at Longding and Panchao police stations of Tirap district.

Further Tirap superintendent of police has provided details of the incidents to Assam Rifles and CRPF located at Khonsa and requested them to help police in providing protection to the villages targeted by NSCN(K). Patrolling in the vulnerable villages has been intensified.

Meanwhile, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has served a ten-day ultimatum to the state government to initiate appropriate action to release the kidnapped youths failing which the apex students' body would resort to a massive agitation. UNI UPB PP AB MS VC1045