Imphal, Jan. 22: All Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns in Manipur and the adjoining states have been shut down following the abduction of FCI deputy director Sadashivam by suspected militants along the Imphal-Moreh route yesterday.
The FCI has suspended all operations in the town indefinitely in protest against the incident.
Director-general of police S. Bimolchandra Singh told The Telegraph today that the United Kuki Liberation Front might be behind the kidnapping. However, there has been no demand for ransom, he added.
The nine persons were waylaid yesterday while travelling in two jeeps along the Imphal-Moreh route. While the BSF troops rescued eight of the hostages, the FCI deputy director is still missing. The officials were en route to Moreh to inspect the site of a godown for the state food and civil supplies department, sources said.
Vice-president of the FCI Employees? Union L. Khamba today said all godowns in Manipur, Dimapur, Jiribam and the neighbouring states have been closed down in protest against the incident.
The FCI Imphal office employees have appealed to the abductors to release the official immediately without harming him.
Police and BSF personnel are continuing their search for the abducted official in Khongkhang and its surrounding areas.
The police are also continuing their search for a trader abducted by unidentified gunmen along the same route yesterday.
Additional chief engineer of the state irrigation and flood control department, Thoubal circle, K. Ibotomba Singh, who was abducted by militants along with his wife from the Singhat area in Churachandpur district on Monday, has also not been traced.