Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CALCUTTA123
2006-03-20 13:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
KUKI LIBERATION ARMY RELEASE KIDNAPPED CHRISTIAN LEADER DR.
how-toVZCZCXRO5153 PP RUEHBI RUEHCI DE RUEHCI #0123 0791335 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 201335Z MAR 06 FM AMCONSUL CALCUTTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0840 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0785 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0180 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0106 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0308 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0308 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 1029
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000123
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM SOCI PGOV ASEC IN
SUBJECT: KUKI LIBERATION ARMY RELEASE KIDNAPPED CHRISTIAN LEADER DR.
TONGKOJANG LUNKIM
REF: A) CALCUTTA 0093 B) CALCUTTA 00100
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000123
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM SOCI PGOV ASEC IN
SUBJECT: KUKI LIBERATION ARMY RELEASE KIDNAPPED CHRISTIAN LEADER DR.
TONGKOJANG LUNKIM
REF: A) CALCUTTA 0093 B) CALCUTTA 00100
1. (SBU) On March 18, the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) in the
Northeast Indian state of Manipur released Chairman of the Kuki
Movement for Human Rights (KMHR) and Administrative Secretary of
the Kuki Christian Church Dr. Tongkhojang Lunkim after two
months of captivity. The KLA returned him in good health to
Kuki community leaders in the Sadar Hills area of Manipur. The
KLA had kidnapped Lunkim and held him for ransom since January
17.
2. (SBU) Although it is not clear what eventually led to his
release, contacts indicate Lunkim apologized to the KLA for what
they regarded as his anti-KLA activities. Lunkim's family also
reportedly paid a sum of money to the KLA, which had earlier
demanded a ransom in excess of USD 200,000.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The safe release of the elderly Lunkim
marked a happy end to a very sensitive case. However, Lunkim's
long detention does reflect the continued lawlessness in
Manipur, where kidnapping is a frequent occurrence, often
resolved with little state government involvement.
JARDINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM SOCI PGOV ASEC IN
SUBJECT: KUKI LIBERATION ARMY RELEASE KIDNAPPED CHRISTIAN LEADER DR.
TONGKOJANG LUNKIM
REF: A) CALCUTTA 0093 B) CALCUTTA 00100
1. (SBU) On March 18, the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) in the
Northeast Indian state of Manipur released Chairman of the Kuki
Movement for Human Rights (KMHR) and Administrative Secretary of
the Kuki Christian Church Dr. Tongkhojang Lunkim after two
months of captivity. The KLA returned him in good health to
Kuki community leaders in the Sadar Hills area of Manipur. The
KLA had kidnapped Lunkim and held him for ransom since January
17.
2. (SBU) Although it is not clear what eventually led to his
release, contacts indicate Lunkim apologized to the KLA for what
they regarded as his anti-KLA activities. Lunkim's family also
reportedly paid a sum of money to the KLA, which had earlier
demanded a ransom in excess of USD 200,000.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The safe release of the elderly Lunkim
marked a happy end to a very sensitive case. However, Lunkim's
long detention does reflect the continued lawlessness in
Manipur, where kidnapping is a frequent occurrence, often
resolved with little state government involvement.
JARDINE