Dimapur, April 1: Condemning the abduction of German social worker Heinrich Wolfgang by Kuki militants in Manipur, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today appealed to the abductors for his safe and unconditional release at the earliest in the interest of peace and justice for all.
The German national, working for the Financial Management Service Foundation as peace trainer, was abducted by militants of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) on March 23 near Maphou dam area in Imphal East district.
Though it was initially believed that the abduction was carried out for ransom, the KLA later clarified Wolfgang would be in its custody till the outfit completes an “investigation” into the nature of funding by the German non-governmental organisation for development projects in Manipur. The outfit has alleged that the German NGO was not funding any developmental projects in Kuki-inhabited areas.
The German NGO has been funding the Volunteers for Village Development (VVD), run by former army officer Ashok Tipnis, which has been working for the victims of the Naga-Kuki conflict.
The NSCN (I-M)’s “ministry of information and publicity”, in a statement, said, “It is quite unfortunate to see the arrogant behaviour of the kidnappers in their unwillingness to release the innocent German social worker despite all the prayers by all quarters for his speedy and safe release.”
The NSCN (I-M) stressed that it would be in the interest of all groups and communities not to engage in any activity which might obstruct the humanitarian or social activities of foreign or local social workers unless “they are working against the interests” of the local populace.
Terming the abduction a matter of serious concern, the outfit cautioned that such an action would be detrimental to the development of the region as much-needed development projects could be stalled by donors.
The statement added, “When we see a group or community working against the interests of another group or common people, there is always the possibility of driving a wedge between these groups, resulting in the vitiation of the otherwise improving relations between them.”
The outfit said there was a hue and cry all over Manipur as the abduction could have a detrimental impact on foreign-funded NGO projects in the remote parts of the region. It added that the Manipur government has not been able to fund such projects in the past nor is it in a position to do so in the near future.
In Manipur, NGOs continued parleys to secure the German social worker’s freedom, as the hostage drama entered its 10th day today.
The team of negotiators and the KLA held the eighth round of talks at an undisclosed place in Imphal East but the ice could not be broken. Church leaders and representatives of Kuki social organisations also took part in today’s negotiations after holding a meeting yesterday.