IMPHAL, Oct 25: Four truck drivers kidnapped at gunpoint by
armed miscreants in Manipur were released unharmed
following a massive search operation launched by the police.
The four drivers of trucks loaded with GI pipes meant for
state PHE department were kidnapped by the armed
miscreants October 23 afternoon, around 4pm while
unloading the GI pipes at a warehouse at Phaknung under
Lamlai police station.
The kidnapped drivers have been identified as Umesh Rai
(37), Kisor Rai (30), Pramod Kumar Prajapati (34) and Rajiwar
(42).
Soon after they were whisked away, teams of Imphal East
district police and special commando unit launched a massive
search operation in areas where the miscreants would have
been held hostage.
The police teams led by DIG range-I N Herojit Meitei and
Imphal East SP Dr S Ibomcha Singh intercepted the four
workers in Gouranagar area at the foothill of Nongmaiching
hill under Lamlai police station late Monday night, around 10
pm, police said today.
Police suspected that the kidnappers released them following
the massive manhunt operation in and around the area
based on the information that the kidnappers had taken the
four drivers to a place in an Eco van.
The police said that the search teams intercepted the four
drivers at a secluded area of foothills.
The police suspected the drivers were kidnapped for ransom.
However, to ascertain the motive behind it, the police have
initiated an investigation after registering a case, the police
added. (NNN)
