Abonmai's murder: UNC condemns; MANIL suspects IM's hands
Source: Chronicle News Service / NNN
Senapati/Imphal, September 29 2021:
The United Naga Council (UNC), while "strongly" condemning the murder of Athuan Abonmai, said that it is deeply "regretted and saddened by the brutal killing" of Athuan Abonmai, former president of Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (ZB-AMN) on September 22 near Pallong under Tamei sub division of Tamenglong district, after he was abducted "by some unknown persons" .
UNC strongly condemned such killing of a public leader and appealed to all to shun such act of violence in the future.
"In his untimely demise, UNC joins with the bereaved family members and his tribe community in sharing the grief and sorrow for the loss and we also pray for the departed soul, and that, may the good Lord rest him in eternal peace," UNC said in its message.
On the other-hand, Mapari Ningsingkol Lup (MANIL) expressed strong suspicion about involvement of the armed NSCN-IM in the abduction and subsequent murder of Athuan Abonmai.
In a release, MANIL secretary Kapur Yumlembam questioned whether we should wait for the next victim.
He recounted that after people and JAC launched several movements against the brutal murder of Dr Kishan, Token and Rajen by NSCN-IM on February 17, 2009, the CBI court awarded life imprisonment to the main accused self-styled Lt Col Hopeson Ningsen.
Subsequently, the JAC was dissolved and thus formed MANIL, he continued, while informing that the final hearing regarding the appeal made by Hopeson for granting bail to Supreme Court will be conducted on October 27, 2021 .
Observing that the circumstances and murder scene of SDO Dr Kishan, Token and Rajen and the reason for killing them is similar with the recent case Abonmai, Kapur recalled that SDO Kishan along with Token and Rajen were abducted from Ukhrul town and found murdered mercilessly using hoe and boulders and their bodies abandoned at Taphou Kuki Village in Senapati district.
There must be a reason for killing the trio near a Kuki village after being abducted from Ukhrul, he opined.
After the IAC pointed out that Dr Kishan, Token and Rajen were murdered by NSCN-IM through the mass media, the armed group sent letter threatening the IAC and refuted involvement in the triple murder for a long time.
When the IAC organised a public discourse at Kangla and resolved that Dr Kishan was murdered by NSCN-IM, the armed group surprisingly accepted that there were black sheep among them and that they will give punishment.
As such, the JAC of Athuan Abonmai along with the people needs to make NSCN-IM say that they murdered him, he opined.
Meanwhile, numerous groups, civil society organisations and political parties denounced the brutal murder of Zeliangrong Baudi advisor and former president Athuan Abonmai on September 22.In separate releases, All Clubs Organisation, Association and Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM-Lup), All Manipur Students' Guardians Organisation (AMSGO), Communist Party of India (Marxist) Manipur State Committee, Unemployment Development Organisations (UDO) Kshetrigao and ALL Manipur Gorkha Students' Union (AMGSU) pledged full support to any decision taken by the JAC formed against the brutal murder of Athuan Abonmai and also appealed the general public of Manipur to show solidarity and support in the movement.
They organisations also urged the state government and authorities concerned to take appropriate action to nab the perpetrators and give befitting punishment.
They also extended solidarity to bereaved family of Athuan Abonmai.