Kidnapping of 6 people including 3 kids : Dark Children's Day Students take to the streets with black flags

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 14 : Children's Day turned dark in Manipur as students across the valley  districts held demonstrations by wearing black badges and holding black flags against the abduction of six individuals, including an infant today.
The six individuals were abducted by Kuki militants following a violent clash in Jiribam on November 11 and their whereabouts remain unknown till now.
Held under the banner "Mass Protest Against the Abduction of 6 Civilians by Chin  Kuki Narco Terrorists", the protest was organized by the student wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI).
The students staged protest demonstrations at their respective school and college premises holding placards with a message to release the children and women who are in the custody of Kuki militants.
Some of the common placards which the students held during today's protest were "We condemn the silence of the Government" ,  "Release the innocent people", "No Children's Day until the captured children are released" and “Black Children’s Day” among others.
The students also chanted slogans with a message to rescue the innocent people.
COCOMI students' wing, in a statement, said that the protest was held from  10.30 am to 11.30 am demanding safe release of the abductees.
Speaking to the media at the protest held  at TG Higher Secondary School, COCOMI students' wing co-ordinator Ningthoujam Dhanakumar said that the people of Manipur including students will launch a massive protest if the Government fails to rescue the six individuals who are in the custody of Kuki militants.
On the statement of Jiribam MLA that the Chief Minister has not entrusted any authority to him to deal with the escalating tension in Jiribam, he said that the Chief Minister needs to clarify on the issue.
Today is Children's Day, Dhanakumar said and added that the day, however, has turned mournful due to the unfolding situation and the abduction of children and women.
The protest was organised to mount pressure on the Government to rescue the abductees, he said and added that six of them were abducted very easily by Kuki militants after  torching houses and shops despite the deployment of security forces in the area.
The primary duty of the Government is to protect the lives and properties of the people, he said and asked the  Government to rescue the hostages.