Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CALCUTTA100
2006-03-01 13:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
INDIAN OFFICIALS REPORT NO PROGRESS IN CASE OF KIDNAPPED
how-toVZCZCXRO3330 OO RUEHBI RUEHCHI RUEHCI DE RUEHCI #0100 0601316 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O P 011316Z MAR 06 FM AMCONSUL CALCUTTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0818 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0763 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0294 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0294 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0171 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0097 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 0005 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0176 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0122 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 1001
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000100
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM KRIM ASEC IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN OFFICIALS REPORT NO PROGRESS IN CASE OF KIDNAPPED
KUKI LEADER DR. LUNKIM
REF: CALCUTTA 0093
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000100
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM KRIM ASEC IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN OFFICIALS REPORT NO PROGRESS IN CASE OF KIDNAPPED
KUKI LEADER DR. LUNKIM
REF: CALCUTTA 0093
1. (SBU) Post continues monitor the kidnapping case of the Kuki
Movement for Human Rights (KMHR) Chairman and Kuki Christian
Church Administrative Secretary Dr. Tongkhojang Lunkim (REFTEL).
On January 17, the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) kidnapped Dr.
Lunkim in the Senapti district of the Northeast Indian State of
Manipur. Human rights contacts told post that there is no new
information on Dr. Lunkim's situation. On March 1, CG spoke to
Manipur Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh to convey the USG's
concern regarding Dr. Lunkim's kidnapping. The Chief Secretary
understood our concern with the kidnapping, noting the 80-year
old Dr. Lunkim's advanced age. However, he said that the state
government did not want to initiate an aggressive search out of
fear that the KLA would be driven to kill Dr. Lunkim. Singh
believed that Dr. Lunkim was being held in the eastern side of
the Imphal valley, an area known for kidnappings and
lawlessness. The Chief Secretary said that he is in contact
with Dr. Lunkim's relatives and met with them earlier that day.
2. (SBU) After Singh's review of the situation, CG again
emphasized the USG's interest in a resolution to the kidnapping.
Singh responded that he understood our concern but that future
communication with Manipur government officials would have to be
through the GOI's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOM is unable to maintain effective law
and order in Manipur. Kidnappings are frequent and are usually
only resolved when the ransoms are paid. The Manipur
authorities appear incapable of effecting Dr. Lunkim's release
and his family is unable/reluctant to pay the KLA's ransom
demand of over USD 200,000. Post will continue to monitor the
status through contacts in the NGO community.
JARDINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM KRIM ASEC IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN OFFICIALS REPORT NO PROGRESS IN CASE OF KIDNAPPED
KUKI LEADER DR. LUNKIM
REF: CALCUTTA 0093
1. (SBU) Post continues monitor the kidnapping case of the Kuki
Movement for Human Rights (KMHR) Chairman and Kuki Christian
Church Administrative Secretary Dr. Tongkhojang Lunkim (REFTEL).
On January 17, the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) kidnapped Dr.
Lunkim in the Senapti district of the Northeast Indian State of
Manipur. Human rights contacts told post that there is no new
information on Dr. Lunkim's situation. On March 1, CG spoke to
Manipur Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh to convey the USG's
concern regarding Dr. Lunkim's kidnapping. The Chief Secretary
understood our concern with the kidnapping, noting the 80-year
old Dr. Lunkim's advanced age. However, he said that the state
government did not want to initiate an aggressive search out of
fear that the KLA would be driven to kill Dr. Lunkim. Singh
believed that Dr. Lunkim was being held in the eastern side of
the Imphal valley, an area known for kidnappings and
lawlessness. The Chief Secretary said that he is in contact
with Dr. Lunkim's relatives and met with them earlier that day.
2. (SBU) After Singh's review of the situation, CG again
emphasized the USG's interest in a resolution to the kidnapping.
Singh responded that he understood our concern but that future
communication with Manipur government officials would have to be
through the GOI's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOM is unable to maintain effective law
and order in Manipur. Kidnappings are frequent and are usually
only resolved when the ransoms are paid. The Manipur
authorities appear incapable of effecting Dr. Lunkim's release
and his family is unable/reluctant to pay the KLA's ransom
demand of over USD 200,000. Post will continue to monitor the
status through contacts in the NGO community.
JARDINE