Engineers’ abduction: dept workers threaten to stop work

The state Government has made little headway in securing the release of three engineers of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), abducted by the Kuki Revolutionary Army nearly two weeks ago. As the families had not approached the police or other authorities for help, the abductions came to light only a week ago.

The three officials, executive engineer L Ibomcha, assistant engineer O Meino and superintending officer N Opendro, were initially thought to have been abducted for ransom, but the KRA has said in a statement that the officials have been detained to probe a “financial scam” involving one of their former cadres and the PHED engineers. Meanwhile, PHED employees and several civil society organisations have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

The protest group also plans to scale up their agitation, and have set a deadline of Monday for the release of the officials. The PHED Workers and Employees Organisation has also threatened to stop the city’s drinking water supply and a cease-work strike if the state Government fails to get the engineers released. It is still not known as to where the engineers are being held.

The Manipur Government is in the process of drafting a Suspension Of Operations Agreement (SOO), which is expected to be inked by the various Kuki and other tribal militant outfits. The KRA statement also adds that the outfit respects the SOO Agreement it has with the Army, but no agreement has been entered into with the state Government.