No individual, group involved in abduction and killing of tribal leader will be spared — Manipur CM

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 24 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday said that any individual or group involved in abduction and subsequent killing of Athuan Abonmai, former president of Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) will not be spared.

Addressing a press conference in Imphal on Friday, Singh who also holds the Home portfolio said Abonmai was a politician and social worker, who always worked to maintain cordial relationship with the hills, valley and for the integrity of Manipur.

On Wednesday, Abonmai who came to attend a government programme, wherein Singh inaugurated various projects at Tamenglong, 150 km west of Imphal was found dead near Pallong village after report of his abduction by unknown persons in Tamenglong district.

So far, no armed group have claimed responsibility for the incident. Terming the incident as barbaric and cowardly act besides condemning the police personnel for not intervening while the social worker Abonmai was being abducted in broad daylight, the chief minister informed that 16 Police personnel including an inspector, Sub-Inspector and Asst. Sub-Inspector have been suspended.

He said the state government has constituted a three-member committee headed by K Radhashyam Singh, IGP (Intelligence) to inquire into the September 22 incident. The Committee will submit its report within one week without fail.

The chief minister further stated that if there were any involvement of group(s) that is under ceasefire agreement with the government of India, then the case would be handed over to National Investigation Agency (NIA), as the state government is in communication with the ministry of Home Affairs regarding the incident, he added.

Stating that the government will not tolerate any illegal activities, he said that combing operation has already begun to search the culprits and that the operation will continue till all the involved persons are arrested. He added the state Cabinet will decide on providing ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased and extend all possible assistance to the bereaved family members.

The dead body of Abonmai has been shifted to RIMS mortuary in Imphal on Thursday evening. However, the newly formed Joint Action Committee against the brutal murder announced that they would not claim the dead body until their demands are fulfilled.

Their demands include — booking of culprits involved in the incident, to serve justice to the bereaved family and a NIA probe into the incident and immediate suspension of DC and SP of Tamenglong district. Meanwhile, regarding the incident Manipur youth congress and National Students’ Union of India, Manipur on Friday held a candlelit vigil in Imphal.

Organisations condemn Sep. 22 incident

Dimapur, Sep. 24 (EMN): Various organisations have condemned the killing of Athuan Abonmai, who was kidnapped and murdered on Sep. 22. The organisations have demanded further investigation of the incident.

ZCSOs: The Zeliangrong Civil Society Organisations of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland — Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN), ZB State Units, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AZSU) and Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) have condemned the gruesome killing of Athuan Abonmai at Tamenglong headquarters in Manipur.

An update informed that the Dimki session of ZB (AM and N) at Asalu village held on Sep. 23 has expressed its anguish on the murder of its former leader without any cognisable reason.

‘It is complacency both of the government and its security agency’, it stated. The ZCSOs therefore, urged the concerned authority to identify and take befitting action on the culprit to evade future confusion.

ZSUN: The Zeliang Students Union Nagaland (ZSUD) has denounced the alleged kidnapping and killing of Athuan Abonmai.

While condemning the gruesome murder, the union urged the government of Manipur to seize the culprit at the earliest. Stating that such barbaric act does not have a place in civilised societies, it called upon all right-thinking citizens and organisations to come forward and condemn such barbarism. It further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed that the Almighty God would grant peace to the departed soul.

WSH: The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has denunciated the killing of Athuan Abonmai.

It said that the killing is an anti-thesis to the basic ethos of Christian faith. Urging the Naga people to stand up against such atrocity, it extended heartfelt sympathy and prayer to family of the deceased and reassured the Baudi that the WSH stands with the Zeliangrong community in its fight for social justice.

ZSUD, ZWAD: The Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Delhi (ZSUD) and Zeliangrong Welfare Association Delhi (ZWAD) has condemned the killing of the former leader of Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland).

‘We express our deepest concern and abhorrence as a matter of urgency regarding the cold-blooded murder of our luminary and condemn the culprits of such inhumane act in the strongest term’, an update from the orgs. stated.

Saying that such anarchic action is jarring and every right-thinking citizen should condemn such barbaric act of assassination, it appealed to the state government to take swift action and punish the perpetrators as per the law of the land. It also conveyed heartfelt condolence to the departed soul, it added.