A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) serving in the Indian Army, identified as Konsam Kheda Singh, was abducted from his residence located in Manipur's Thoubal district on Friday. After over nine hours, security forces successfully rescued him.
According to official sources, a group of individuals forcibly entered JCO Kheda Singh's home in Charangpat Mamang Leikai around 9 am and forcibly took him away. The perpetrators hastily transported Kheda Singh in a vehicle and fled the scene with him.
Thankfully, security forces were able to locate and rescue Kheda Singh at approximately 6:30 pm. Following his rescue, he was brought to the Waikhong Police Station situated in Thoubal district for further proceedings.
Initial assessments by authorities indicate that the kidnappers had intentions of extorting money from Kheda Singh, as his family had previously received such menacing threats.
Immediately after Kheda Singh's abduction, an extensive search operation was initiated to locate and rescue him. Security personnel meticulously inspected all vehicles traveling on National Highway 102 as part of the rescue efforts.
It's worth noting that at the time of his abduction, the Army officer was on leave from his official duties.
This incident transpired shortly after another distressing event on February 27 when a Manipur Police officer was abducted from his residence. Approximately 200 armed individuals stormed the home of Additional Superintendent of Police, Moirangthem Amit Singh, located in Imphal West district, and forcibly took him away.
The abduction of Amit Singh was purportedly executed by a militant faction known as the Meitei vigilante group Arambai Tenggol.
These incidents add to the prevailing unrest in Manipur, which has been plagued by episodes of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 3 of the previous year.
