K. Ibobi, senior manager of the Indian Oil Corporation in Manipur kidnapped by armed extremists on Friday night, was released unharmed on Sunday, police officials confirmed on Monday morning.
Oil stations in the State closed down in protest against the abduction were opened. However the police and the IOC officials did not disclose the details of the kidnapping. Mr. Ibobi himself refused to talk to the journalists. It is not known on what conditions he was set free. The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs. 1 crore from the IOC.
Meanwhile, LPG tanker drivers are still on strike, protesting against the kidnapping of two drivers and one cleaner by members of the newly formed Karbi People's Liberation Tigers on January 16 at Golaghat district of Assam. All agencies of the cooking gas had been closed down. Besides, the LPG bottling plant at Sekmai in Manipur has not been functioning. The militants are demanding Rs. 50 lakh as ransom.
