IMPHAL, December 16: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (I) president Gaikhangam and his team including Ningthoukhong MLA Govindas, Tamenglong MLA Khangthuanang Panmei and HAC chairman Thangmilien Kipgen had to return back to Khoupum tampak after being waylaid by around 70 well equipped militants suspected to be Naga militants along the Tongjil Maril road near Gommijang village which is just seven kms away from Khupum Tampak, under Khoupum police station of Tamenglong district, informed a reliable source.
The MLA and his team alongwith a heavy escort were returning along the Tonjei Maril this afternoon at around 2:30pm after attending a political convention at Khoupum.
The way leading escort vehicle of the MLA’s team found tree trunks making barricades along the road and saw some heavily armed militant suspects surrounding the whole area, the source informed.
Meanwhile, womenfolk of the Gomijang village and Khoupum village sensing the danger came and escorted the MLA’s team from the area and took them back to Khoupum village.
According to the source, the MPCC president and his team are presently taking shelter at Khoupum village.
Meanwhile, additional reinforcement of police commandos from Imphal west and Bishnupur district have been sent in to rescue the MPCC president and his team.
Another reinforcement of Assam Rifles have been sent in from Noney side along the Tongjei Maril, the source further informed.
