Curachandpur Bandh begins tonight

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, March 30, 2017: Zillai, Vaiphei students’ association has imposed an 18 hours total shutdown in Chrachandpur district demanding the government to act for safe release of two civilians who were abducted for ransom.

The two abducted persons were truck driver Lalmalsawmlian of Lingsiphai village and an excavator (JCB) driver Khuplal ofTuili Leibul village, who were reportedly held hostage for a ransom of 20 lakhs. They were abducted on March 26 from their work site at Nabil Khuman village in Churachandpur. Both the drivers are engaged with Mangbeldam, a special contractor.

In a press statement released by the student body stated that as the 24 hours deadline served to the government, to secure safe release of the two drivers, has expired the student body has called the 18 hours general strike.

Claiming that the incident occurred barely a year after a similar episode was experienced by the same contractor at his work site,  Zillai had questioned why the government is not taking any step to prevent the recurrence of such inhumane activities and tolerate the reign of terror at the risk of innocent lives.

They also questioned the integrity of armed groups who are under suspension of operation and whose area of operation has been used as safe havens for carrying out abductions for ransom