State seeks NIA probe; CSOs mourn loss of unifier'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 26 2021: The state home department has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), seeking an NIA investigation into the abduction and murder of Athuan Abonmai of Machenglung Lamlaba in Tamenglong district but was residing at Tarung Grace Colony.

In its letter to the MHA on September 25, special secretary (home) H Gyan Prakash stated that Athuan Abonmai, an advisor and former president of Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), was abducted on September 22 from Tamenglong district headquarters.

With reference to a complaint filed by Athuan's son Arari Abonmai at Lamphel police station that his father had been abducted at about 11.30 am on the aforementioned day by NSCN-IM cadres from near Pologround in Tamenglong town, the special secretary mentioned that the case was transferred to Tamenglong police station as the place of occurrence of the incident falls under the latter's jurisdiction.

While informing that Tamenglong police station has registered an FIR, the letter conveyed that Athuan Abonmai was found dead in Pillong village under Tamei police station of Tamei sub-division in Tamenglong district.

"The act is suspected to be carried out by the NSCN (IM) cadres and in view of the sensitive nature of the case and possible in ter-state ramification, it is felt that the case is fit for investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)," the special secretary maintained.

"It is requested that MHA may kindly issue necessary instruction for causing in vestigation into the referred FIR case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)", it added.

Meanwhile, several civil society organisations continued to voice strong condemnations against the murder of Zeliangrong Bau di Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (AMN) advisor and former president Athuan Abonmai and extended solidarity to the bereaved family of the late Zeliangrong community leader.

In separate releases, Indig enous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK), All Manipur Muslim Development Committee (AMMDC) and Uripok Apunba Lup (UAL) condemned the brutal murder of Athuan Abonmai, stating the late leader of the Zeliangrong community was a firm believer of a unified Manipur.

They asserted that Abonmai's contributions to bring together the people of hills and valley will forever remain in Manipur's history.

The CSOs further maintained that Athuan Abonmai was targeted for raising his voice against vested political groups and individuals using students' organisations and CSOs of hill areas to incite social upheaval in the aftermath of non-tabling of the proposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, which allegedly devised to break-up Manipur into three territories and for expressing views critical to agenda of a Nagaland insurgent group.

They also urged the government to probe into the incident maintaining that there is a strong possibility of a conspiracy to eliminate leader or the Zeliangrong community.

Furthermore, they informed that they would extend fullest support of any decision taken by the JAC formed against the Brutal Murder of Athuan Abonmai.

UAL in its release also informed that the members of the Lup on Sunday visited the Langol Tarung residence of late Athuan Abonmai to extend solidarity to the bereaved family members and also met with the JAC members and gave assurance to stand with them until justice is served and the perpetrators are awarded befitting penance.

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