Manipur CM: Rescue Ops will be launched

Imphal, March 20: Even as the Chief Minister O Ibobi today said on the floor of the House that a search operation would be launched to rescue the kidnapped Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district Yambem Thamkishore a rally has been planned at Chandel tomorrow demanding the safe release of the officer. Replying to a call attention motion in the Assembly, Ibobi said local leaders have informed the Government that they are trying their best to find the whereabouts of the DC and establish contact with the captor. ?If the IAS officer was not released by today, heavy police and paramilitary forces camping in the district would begin search operations,? the chief minister said and appealed to the abductors to free the senior district official. The motion was jointly moved by Dr Nimaichand Luwang and Irengbam Hemochandra Singh. The CM said high ranking officials with heavy reinforcement have rushed to Chandel soon after the kidnapping but the Government is restraining itself from launching operations as this might lead to ?unwanted things both to the DC and local public.? In any case, the Government would launch search and rescue operations if the official was not freed latest by today, he said adding that so far no negotiation has started between the Government and the kidnappers. Hemochandra, quoting media reports, wanted to know whether the militants have demanded a ransom of Rs 30 lakhs. He also wanted to know the identity of the kidnappers of the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) as press reports have mentioned about the organization. Our Chandel Correspondent adds that a protest rally will be taken out tomorrow (March 21) demanding safe release of Y Thamkishore. The rally to be participated by members of public and church leaders will start at 10 am at Chandel Indoor Stadium and will march up to the mini secretariat. Efforts are continuing to secure the safe release of the officer who was abducted near Chandel forest gate on Monday. Meanwhile Yambem Laba, MHRC member and a close relative of the abducted official today visited Chandel along with family members to assess the situation. The DC is reported to be in safety and good health in the hand of his captors. The DC?s wife Niroda Devi is under medical care at the DC bungalow.