rebel group released him in the northeastern state of Manipur.
Reverend Tongkhojang Lunkim was set free by the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) over the weekend, several church sources said. It was unclear if any ransom had been paid. There had been confusion over a demanded ransom with some reports saying the kidnappers wanted 10 million rupees (about $225-thousand) while others spoke of $430,000.
Lunkim, who is a leader of the Kuki Christian Church in Imphal, Manipur, and editor of the Kuki edition of the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide in India, was reportedly kidnapped January 17 by the KLA.
"The Upper Room is celebrating today this good news and thanks God for his release," the publication said in a released statement. "We have held prayer vigils, and many of the staff have kept him in our prayers every day of his captivity." He was apparently released unharmed and in a good condition.
PRAYERS SAID
"We are absolutely elated and feel that the work of the Holy Spirit was at work through the prayers given by people across the globe," the United Methodist News Service (UMNS) quoted Reverend Stephen Bryant, world editor and publisher of the Upper Room as saying.
"The staff of the Upper Room and all who work at the General Board of Discipleship feel our prayers have been answered, and we thank all who have been praying with us," he added.
Lunkim was held for 64 days by the rebel army for reasons that remain unclear. "It is a mystery to us about what has happened both in his capture and release," Bryant said. "Many of us had lost hope that Dr. Lunkim would be freed."
"Lunkim led a ministry in northwest India, where Christians are a small minority among a predominantly Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim population," the UMNS said.
PUBLISHING COORDINATOR
He is the publishing coordinator of the daily Upper Room devotional guide in the Kuki, Meitei, Vaiphei and Zomi languages through the Kuki Christian Church, a collective of hundreds of Christian churches of northeast India, neighboring Burma and Bhutan.
His release came after several thousand people, including church leaders, participated in massive rallies and marches in the areas of Saikul, Churachandpur and Moreh in India demanding Lunkim’s release, UMNS said.
On February 16 Lunkim’s wife reportedly pleaded with local authorities to intervene, saying her husband was innocent and did not deserve "physical and mental torture at the hands" of the rebel group.
"By such an amazing answer to prayer, we can now continue the work that Dr. Lunkim started by again providing the Upper Room Devotional Guide to that troubled region of India," added Reverend Karen Greenwaldt, top executive of the US-based Board of Discipleship, which supports the Indian leader. "The devotional guide is central to our work, and (we) thank God for its effect on the millions it touches," Greenwaldt added. (With BosNewsLife Research and reports from India).
