Death case of Aging: Why the delay in handing case to NIA poser raised
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 25 2023: Delay in handing over the murder case of Akoijam Nonganba alias Aging to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) even after it was promised by the Government has angered the JAC as well as Nupi Lups (women organisations) .

Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club today, Longjam Memchoubi, a representative of a women organisation said despite assurance given to hand over the case to the NIA, the Government is remaining silent and has not acted yet to keep its words to the JAC and the women organisations.

The assurance to hand over the case to the NIA was given by Chief Minister N Biren Singh himself.

However, the case has not been given to the agency yet, she said.

Death case of Aging: Why the delay in handing case to NIA poser raised

"Requesting us to claim the body [of Aging] the last time we met, Chief Minister N Biren had assured that the case would be handed over to the NIA.

In good faith, we claimed the body of the deceased in the last week of March and last rites were held this month," she said.

The Government remaining silent on the issue is inviting fresh agitations, she said adding, the JAC and the women organisations are prepared.

It may be noted that AK Nonganba alias Aging, aged around 40, was a resident of Kwakeithel Konjeng Awang Leikai.

He was found brutally murdered on February 12 near Changoubung village on the side of Imphal-Dimapur Highway.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed the next day to investigate the case and one identified as Sonia (40), daughter of Th Shantikumar of Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai was questioned by the police.

Following the disclosure of Sonia, Moses Gonmei, son of Chunguangpou of Namgailong Rongmei village in Senapati district and one Stephen Dangmei were identified as suspects in the murder case.

While Stephen Dangmei, a kilonser of the NSCN (IM) is still at large, Moses Gonmei (41), identified as a deputy kilonser of the NSCN-IM was arrested and at present is in judicial custody.

Meanwhile, Akoijam Shantibala Leima, the mother of Aging who was also present in the press meet, said she had no idea of the identity of Sonia, Moses or Stephen before the police investigation.

"If my son was in collusion with the NSCN (IM) and doing illegal activities, I would not have claimed his mortal remains.

My son was innocent.

I want justice to be delivered," she said.

The JAC and the women organisations appealed to the Government to hand over the case to the NIA at the earliest.

Significantly, while the JAC and the women organisations are demanding an NIA investigation, there was a report that the State Home Department has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for handing over the case to the NIA, according to a press release issued by the Superintendent of Police of Kangpokpi district in mid March.