IMPHAL, March 29— Underground Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) today confirmed that it had kidnapped the German national Heinrich Wolfgang from Maphou area in Thoubal district of Manipur on March 23 last but denied it was for ransom.
“The life of the foreigner would be at risk if security forces mounted up search operations for Wolfgang who had been abducted to draw the attention of some NGOs who were discriminating against Kukis in the distribution of funds,” a KLA statement said.”
The KLA did not kidnap Wolfgang for ransom. Some NGOs had misinformed the media, that the KLA had abducted Wolfgang for a ransom money of Rs 1 crore. Since these NGOs (names withheld) had wrongly informed the media, they should now pay Rs 1 crore to the KLA for the release of the German national,” the statement added.
Official sources said all possible measures would be taken up to secure the safe release of the German national.