West Bengal Man Rescued in Manipur Following Abduction; Driver Taken into Custody

PTI, September 21, 2026, Imphal: A Bengal resident allegedly abducted after arriving at Imphal airport was rescued by security personnel in Bishnupur district, Manipur Police said on Monday. Police arrested the driver of the vehicle used to transport the man and launched an investigation to trace the other suspects.

Md. Wasim Akram was rescued by personnel of Moirang Police Station on September 19 from the Naranseina area, around 40 km from Imphal airport, according to an official statement.

Police said Akram escaped from his abductors after pulling the handbrake of the transport vehicle in which he was being taken to another location. He then fled towards security personnel and sought help.

"On September 19, personnel of Moirang Police Station rescued Md. Wasim Akram, a Bengal resident who escaped from his abductors at Naranseina by pulling the handbrake of a transport vehicle and fled to security personnel for help. He was abducted upon his arrival at Imphal airport," the police said.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested, while police continued efforts to identify and apprehend the other suspects, the statement said.

Police did not disclose when Akram was abducted, the motive behind the crime, or whether any group was involved.

The rescue comes amid continued security operations across Manipur, where security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination exercises in fringe and vulnerable localities since ethnic violence erupted in the state three years ago.

The ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities began in May 2023. At least 306 people have been killed, 49 remain missing, and thousands have been displaced since the violence began.