Murder of Athuan Abonmai ZUF points finger at NSCN (IM)
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 24 2021: The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has accused the NSCN (IM) of killing Athuan Abonmai and appealed the Central and State Governments to constitute a high-level investigation agency and book the culprits.

In a statement on Friday, secretary of ZUF Hozam Thaimei said that it condemns the "cold-blooded and inhuman murder" of Athuan Abonmai, former president and advisor of Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (AMN) on September 22 at Pallong village, some kilometres away from Tamenglong district headquarters by NSCN (IM) .

The ZUF alleged that "the diabolic character of the NSCN (IM) has once again resurfaced where tall and uncompromising leaders of different communities were massacred on several occasions at different times" .

It added, "In the same way, the tall uncompromising Zeliangrong leader Athuan Abonmai who spoke out for his people and coexistence of different communities succumbed to the blood thirst and the cowardly act of NSCN (IM)" .

According to the ZUF, Athuan Abonmai was a "true son of the soil, a true patriot who relentlessly worked" for the cause of Zeliangrong people and Nagas and for different communities at large.

It is "extremely beyond imagination that such a brutal, barbaric and inhumane act was committed by the NSCN (IM) to silence the democratic and courageous voice who stood for unity of Zeliangrong people and Nagas in particular with the rest of the different communities as a whole" .

The ZUF then said that the abduction of Athuan Abonmai in the presence of "hundred eyes" and the paramilitary and State forces in broad daylight and their inaction are highly questionable.

"It is concluded that the whole development is fishy and a total conspiracy," said the ZUF.

The Zeliangrong United Front then appealed to the Central and State Governments to constitute a high-level investigation agency and book the culprits at the earliest possible time and deliver justice to the family of the deceased.

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