Imphal: Meira Paibis or ‘women torch bearers’ – vigilante groups of Manipuri women – on Tuesday staged sit-in-protests in two districts of Manipur demanding the safe release of Akoijam Angou (57), who is reported missing with his whereabouts still not known as it entered the ninth day.
The sit-in protests were held at Konjeng Leikai area in Imphal East district and Thoubal Awang Leikai in Thoubal district.
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The protesters demanded the “motive” or “reason” behind the alleged abduction of Angou, and decried non-communication by his suspected abductors even after nine days since he was allegedly taken away.
Angou, hailing from Thoubal district, was residing in a rented house at Haobam Marak Chingtham Leikai area in Imphal West district with his family.
On September 30, 2024, he left home to fetch his daughter from a tuition centre at the Uripok Imphal area but was allegedly abducted by unknown miscreants.
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Kiran Devi, wife of Angou, who also joined the protests, told media persons that a case has been registered at the Imphal police station in connection with the abduction.
Devi said that several attempts were made to contact her husband but he did not return hours after leaving home.
His phone was found to be switched off but the vehicle, in which he left home, was recovered by the police.
The police during preliminary investigation confirmed that unknown persons in a black Bolero vehicle whisked away with Angou from a place close to the tuition centre.
Angou’s mother, Akoijam Sanahanbi, has appealed to the abductors to release her son safely considering the fate of his two young daughters.