Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 20:
Claiming responsibility for abducting and killing Waikhom Manigun of Khabam Maning Leikai on April 17, the proscribed UNLF today stated that Manigun was killed after verifying the facts that he was involved in a cold blooded murder of a UNLF cadre way back in 2000.Spelling out the details, UNLF in a statement said that in October 2000 (Ningol Chakkouba), the eldest daughter of Manigun eloped with a youth, Joy, assigned to the Imphal east branch of the outfit.
As the youth had not yet reached the marriageable age, as per the outfit's rule, the girl was returned to the family with the understanding that the two will get married in due course of time.
Manigun then demanded a sum of Rs 50,000 from the outfit, said the statement.
At this the commander of the branch unit personally met Manigun and explained the matter to him, said UNLF.
Then on November 11, the same year, Manigun invited a cadre of the UNLF, Pte Moirangthem Ningthemton alias Sanatomba, who was the guide of Joy to his house for a snack.
Once inside the house, Manigun clubbed Sanatomba to death and to destroy all the evidences, buried the body at Naga river near Mantripukhri Chumbrei bridge.
Thereafter Manigun started working as a labourer at the Assam Rifles camp to avoid getting picked up.Though the UNLF cadres suspected him, nothing was done but his movements were closely watched.
The skeletal remains of Sanatomba was found during the flood in 2001 July, said the statement.
After all these long years, Manigun relaxed and thinking that he was no longer under any suspicion returned home, said UNLF and added that he was then picked up.
After thorough interrogation by the Investigating Officer, Manigun confessed to his crime, said the statement and his case was decided by the Standing Committee of the outfit.