Monday, June 13 2005 13:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Imphal: Seven drivers were kidnapped by militants in Manipur's Senapati district, official reports said today (Jun 13, 2005).

The militant outfit Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) yesterday (Jun 12, 2005) claimed responsibility for the abduction, which took place a few days back, and in a statement demanded huge ransom for their release.

Official reports said the drivers, returning here with new tractors for a local dealer, were intercepted at a spot along National Highway 39 by militants in the district and abducted.

The official reports however maintained that the identity of the militant group, involved in the incident, was not immediately known.

The tractors, belonging to a local dealer, were later found from roadside but the drivers remained untraced till now, the reports said. The drivers were bringing the tractors from Guwahati for a local dealer 'Manipur Diesels'.

Meanwhile in its statement to local media the KRA further said the drivers would be shot dead if the dealers failed to pay the money demanded from them by the outfit latest by June 15 but did not spell out the amount in its statement.

Warning against any rescue operations by the security forces, the KRA further said if any such operation was launched, they (security forces) would find the 'lifeless bodies' of the drivers.

The auto dealers were not available for comment.