New Delhi, July 28 : The Army today nabbed seven militants involved in abduction of children near Imphal.

In last 48 hours, the security forces have nabbed seven militants belonging to different outfits who were involved in the child abduction for recruitment in terrorist’s outfits.

Out of the seven militants apprehended, four militants belong to United National Liberation Front (UNLF), and two belong to PREPAK (GS). Identification of one militant is being ascertained.

Sector Commander, while talking on the occasion said, “It has heartening to learn that the local population having been fed up of militants activities of such inhuman nature, have started to come out openly to help the security forces in providing information about the militants movements and in assisting in apprehension of abductors.”

He further said that the security forces would continue relentless operations against such activities.

Earlier, at least 45 cases of kidnappings by suspected militants or armed gunmen including 21 missing reports of children below the age of 18 years were reported at the different police stations in Manipur in the last six months.

Of the 45 cases 21 are related with kidnapping of 24 children of which five have been released by the kidnappers while another five escaped from the kidnappers.

A high alert has been sounded in Manipur and special task force was constituted to monitor the suspicious movements in front of schools.

The unprecedented trend of insurgent groups luring or forcibly taking children away to join their ranks began in May and despite public protests, kidnappings had continued, creating panic in the State afflicted by insurgency for decades. (ANI)