Ruling, Opposition MLAs discuss abduction of two youths Case highlighted to Union Home Minister

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 29 : Ruling and Opposition MLAs convened an emergency joint meeting at the CM's Secretariat today over the abduction of two Meetei youths by suspected Kuki militants today.
The meeting presided by Chief Minister N Biren Singh discussed the ways and means to rescue the two youths, Oinam Thoithoi and Thokchom Thoithoiba whose whereabouts are still not known.
Notably, it was three of them who were abducted by armed Kukis on Friday after they ventured into Kuki areas while going to New Keithelmanbi to take part in a recruitment rally of Assam Rifles.
One of them namely Ningombam Johnson has been handed over to  his family  this evening after he was kept in police custody for a day.
The ruling side was represented by Ministers Th Biswajit, Govindas Konthoujam, Awangbow Newmai, Th Basantakumar, Khashim Vashum, MLAs S Rajen, Kh Joykisan, Ram Muivah, Th Arunkumar, Kh Ibomcha Th Shanti, S Premchandra, Karam Shyam and Usham Deben while the Opposition team was represented by former Chief Minister O Ibobi and MPCC president and MLA K Meghachandra in the meeting.
The Chief Minister also uploaded a post on his Facebook handle about the meeting and conveyed that the Government is working to rescue the two youths.
The port read "Held a meeting with all the MLAs from both the Ruling and Opposition parties at my Secretariat, today.
“Addressed the current situation in the State particularly focusing on the rescue of the two innocent youths who have been abducted by Kuki militants. We condemn such heinous acts and our Government is working to secure the safe release of the victims."
Congress MLA Meghachandra said that ruling and Opposition MLAs agreed to mount pressure on the Central leadership to  rescue the two youths who have been taken hostage by Kuki militants.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Meghachandra continued that the matter has been apprised to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and he has assured to do whatever it takes to rescue the two youths quoting the Chief Minister.
Saying that he asked how true is the alleged demand being raised by Kuki militants to release Mark T  Haokip who is currently at Sajiwa Jail in exchange of the two youths during the meeting, Meghachandra said that Kuki militants had demanded release of Mark Haokip in the past too.
The State Government won't succumb to the pressure of Kuki militants according to the Chief Minister, he added.
Saying that they attended the meeting as the matter is related to the Manipur issue which has been going on for nearly 17 months, the Congress MLA added that the ruling MLAs also took suggestions from them.
He said that they suggested the ruling MLAs to apprise the development to the Central leadership to save the lives of the two youths.
The two youths are still alive in the custody of Kuki militants as per the Chief Minister, Meghachandra added.
Saying that abducting and attacking civilians will keep  Manipur in a restive situation, he appealed to the abductors to release the two youths safely.
He also said that a meeting of the Congress party was convened at Congress Bhavan earlier today and the prevailing situation in the State and means to restore normalcy was discussed.