Driver Surjit released, agitation ends

IMPHAL, April 23: The  All Manipur Petroleum Tanker and Drivers Union’s driver who was reportedly kidnapped by unidentified persons at gun-point while proceeding towards Imphal from Kohima on April 21 has been safely released.

According to a source, Sougrakpam Surjit, 42, son of S Phaton Singh was safely released by the kidnappers at an area of Nagaland in the afternoon today.

As reported earlier, Surjit had been pulled down from his own vehicle bearing registration No. MN-02-6268 and kidnapped by unidentified persons at gun-point in the presence of CRPF escorts.

His safe release is said to be a result of the  efforts made by a transport society tracing him so that he could be released.

It is learnt that he was kidnapped by cadres of a Naga underground organization though the details of the group and the reason for his abduction is being kept under wraps.

Surjit is meanwhile set to elaborate on the incidents in a media briefing at the Inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) tomorrow at 8.30 a.m.

On the other hand, Y. Bhupenchandra Gosh, president of Petroleum Tankers and Drivers Union disclosed to IFP that the union will call off the ceasework strike from tomorrow 10 am and the drivers will return to work.

If the drivers return to work as usual, oil tankers at ISTB will unload at the depot of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and petrol will be distributed to oil pumps. Empty tankers will also get ready to leave Imphal to transport oil from outside Manipur again, he said.