Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, April 2
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]bducted former Manipur minister Khasim Ruivah has been released around 8:15 pm today.
He was kidnapped by suspected hill based militants yesterday.
Reports said Khasim Ruivah was released by his abductors around 8:15 pm in Ukhrul district but it was not known why he was kidnapped.
Minutes after his release family members of Ruivah took the custody of the former minister. Attempts by media persons to meet Ruivah proved futile.It is not known on what conditions the former minister was released and why he was abducted.
Earlier in the day, the BJP, Ukhrul accused the Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) of the Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) for the act.
A sit-in protest against the kidnapping of the former minister was held today infront of BJP office, Ukhrul.
According to sources, Khasim Ruivah was asked to come to a place in Ukhrul by certain persons. When the former minister obliged, the suspected militants whisked him away to an unknown destination around 10:30 am on Tuesday. The whereabouts of the former minister are not known.
Meanwhile, the BJP Ukhrul unit staged sit-in protest against the ‘indiscriminate detention’ of former Manipur minister Khasim Ruivah by the WTR of the GPRN. The protestors demanded for the immediate release of Khasim Ruivah.
Khasim Ruivah has joined the BJP fold sometimes back and reportedly campaigning fervently for BJP candidate of the Outer Manipur seat Prof Gangmumei Kamei.
It is worth noting that Khasim Ruivah was an education minister of Manipur several years back in the Nipamacha led government. He was elected from the Federal Party of Manipur (FPM) ticket from Chingai assembly seat. Again, in 2007 assembly election Khasim Ruivah was elected as an Independent candidate backed by the United Naga Council (UNC) from Chingai assembly constituency of Ukhrul district.
