Manipur registers 46% rise in abductions: Report

According to data released by the state?s police dept for the year 2004, a total of 199 cases of abduction were registered.

There has been a close to 50 per cent increase in the number of kidnappings and abductions in Manipur.

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According to data released by the state’s police department for the year 2004, a total of 199 cases of abduction were registered in different police stations in the districts of Imphal West, Thoubal, Imphal East and Chandel. The total number of kidnapping cases in 2003 was 136.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a major industry in Manipur. Militants have taken the lead in this, kidnapping businessmen and Government officials at regular intervals.

While there is no official confirmation about the amount of money paid annually, police sources say that this could run into hundreds of crores of rupees. This despite the fact that Manipur has been practically under the Army for decades now, with laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in force.

According to the new figures, some 108 insurgents were killed and 700 nabbed by security forces in different parts of the state during 2004. At least 128 firearms, 57 hand grenades, 21 bombs and improvised explosive devices along with other ammunition were recovered by the security forces during the year, the report said.