JAC Against Brutal Murder of Athuan Abonmai asks why GoI should engage in peace talks with NSCN (IM)
Mortal remains of former president of ZB brought back
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 23 2021: Coming out very strongly against the abduction and cold blooded murder of former president of Zeliangrong Baudi Athuan Abonmai, the JAC Against the Brutal Murder of Late Athuan Abonmai, has demanded a high level investigation by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) on the conspiracy, abduction, torture and murder of Abonmai under IPC 302, 364 .

The JAC also decided to put on hold the funeral service of Athuan Abonmai until the culprits involved in his abduction and murder are brought book and justice is delivered to the bereaved family members.

Apart from the NIA probe, the JAC in a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister N Biren also demanded immediate suspension of the DC and SP of Tamenglong district as the abduction was staged in broad daylight in front of security personnel deployed for the Government function.

The JAC further said that adequate compensation should be provided to the next of kin of the late man.

Mortal remains of former president of ZB brought back

If the said demands are not met by September 24 midnight then the JAC in collaboration with like minded civil society organisations will stage different forms of protest till justice is delivered.

The Government of Manipur should be held responsible for any untoward incident that might accrue during the course of the agitation, said the JAC.

Taking serious note of the brutal murder of Abonmai the JAC questioned why the Government of India should engage in a peace process with the NSCN (IM) even as the outfit continues to 'harass, terrorise and kill people who refuse to toe their diktats'.

'Is the peace process a license to kill' questioned the JAC and added that it will not tolerate the double standard.

Terming it a cold blooded murder, the JAC said that villagers who tended to the lifeless body of Abonmai found the sledgehammer used to kill him.

This more than indicates that the murder was the handiwork of professional killers, it said.

The abduction and murder in front of security forces and the inaction on the part of the district administration showed that a conspiracy was behind the whole episode, charged the JAC.

Even as the JAC has laid down certain ultimatums to the Government, the mortal remains of Abonmai was brought back home today at RIMS morgue where a large number of people gathered to extend solidarity to the bereaved family members.

Making their stand clear, the angry and anguished people said that Athuan Abonmai was killed due to the lapses and failure of the police personnel and blamed the State Government for his death.

Abonmai had gone to Tamenglong headquarters not for any personal reason but on the invitation of Chief Minister N Biren, they contended.

The lifeless body of Abonmai was brought from his native village through Imphal Tamei (IT) road escorted by police personnel upto RIMS morgue.

Even before the body arrived at the morgue a large number of people gathered at the said place.

A prayer was offered before the body was taken inside the morgue.

Speaking to the media persons who had rushed to RIMS morgue to cover the news, Pastor Tadonboi Abomei stated that soon after they got information of Athuan Abonmai being abducted, people carried out a massive search in different locations.

Tadonboi said that they appealed the police personnel to help them in tracing and rescuing Athuan Abonmai but no positive response was received.

It was later in the evening that they received information that people of Palong village heard sounds of gun shots after which a search was carried out there.

It was during the search that they came across the lifeless body of Athuan Abonmai with his head smashed by a hard weapon, probably a sledge hammer, he informed.

People who had gathered at the morgue also came out strongly against the inaction of the security personnel, which they said was responsible for the death of Abonmai.

On the other hand Grace Colony Womenfolk secretary Keinahanbi Kabui stated that they strongly condemn such inhuman act and appealed the State Government to make all possible measures to bring justice to the bereaved family.