Public demand release of Chandel DC, operations yet to begin

IMPHAL, March 21 ? Police and para-military forces were yet to rescue operation for the kidnapped Deputy Commissioner of Manipur?s Chandel district even as different communities Thursday took out a procession demanding his safe release, official sources said here, reports PTI. The communities took out a rally at the district headquarters demanding safe release of the kidnapped deputy commission Yambem Thamkishore, who had been abducted at gun point on Monday from Chandel forest gate area by suspected United Kuki Liberation Front militants. Police and paramilitary personnel, campign here since Monday last, were yet to begin search and rescue operation following request to the authorities by local community leaders who wanted to try on their own to secure the safe release of the IAS official. Local leaders expressed apprehensions that any search operation by the forces may lead to ?undesirable consequences? both to the Deputy Commissioner and local population, the sources said. The Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, Wednesday told the State Assembly that high-ranking officials with reinforcements who had rushed to Chandel district, had been restrained as search operations might lead to an unwanted situation both for the Deputy Commissioner and the local people. Singh also appealed to the militants to free Thamkiashore. The DC had been taken away after his security escort was disarmed by the suspected militants from Chandel forest gate area near his office, according to the sources.