JAC declares stir: VA recounts incident
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 25 2021: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the Brutal Murder of Athuan Abonmai has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state government to fulfil its charter of demands, failing which the JAC has threatened to impose a 48-hour road blockade on both national highways followed by state-wide 24-hour total shutdown.

Speaking to media persons at Grace Academy, Langol Tarung on Saturday, JAC convener Majabung informed that the decision to serve the 48-hour ultimatum (with effect from Sunday) to the state government for translating into action its charter of demands mentioned in a memorandum submitted on September 23 was taken during a meeting with various civil society organisations of Zeliangrong community held earlier in the day.

The convener stated that in its memorandum, the JAC demanded that chairman of the enquiry committee, K Radhashyam Singh, IG (intelligence) be replaced, since his "negligence, inefficiency and ineffectiveness had created security lapses which led to the abduction and subsequently killing of Athuan Abonmai on September 22" during the "Go to Hills 2.0" official event attended by the chief minister, his cabinet colleagues and top government officials.

"Therefore, such a doubtful character official heading the enquiry committee may not bring the desired result," it added.

The other demand raised by the JAC was "To translate all the assurances made by the chief minister during a press conference held on September 24 into visible action" .

According to Majabung, the meeting resolved to go ahead with the imposition of 48 hours road blockade on national highways 29 and 37 from midnight of September 27 after the 48 hours ultima turn expires" .

He also warned of imposing a state-wide 24 hours total shutdown from midnight of September 29 as follow up agitation if the government still continues to ignore the demands.

Meanwhile, village authority of Machengluang, the native village of Athuan Abonmai, has expressed shock over the brutal killing of former president of Zeliangruang Baudi (AMN) on September 22, by some suspected NSCN (IM) activists.

A release by the village authority chairman P Tathubou and secretary A Dengraibou said that Athuan was a tall and visionary leader from the village who contributed immensely for the Zeliangruang community living across three states of North East India.

He also contributed towards the Naga cause in many ways and stood for the unity of all communities transcending tribal mentality, and believing in one human community.

The release disclosed that on that fateful day of September 22, the villagers were informed that Athuan was abducted from Tamenglong pologround amidst tight security and taken towards Tamei in a white Maruti Gypsy.

As such the villagers, especially the womenfolk, blocked the road and waited so that he could be rescued.

"As expected, the vehicle reached the village but seeing the blocked road and the crowd, the vehicle took a U-turn and went back towards Tamenglong.

Thereafter, the villagers searched the area without the help of any police or assistance from the government, but were not able to locate the whereabouts of the vehicle.

"Later in the evening, we were informed that a woman from Pallong village overheard a grunting sound around a stone-crushing site while returning from the field.

So we rushed to the spot and found the lifeless body," recounted the release.

It lamented that he was "murdered in the most gruesome and cruel manner that is not expected in any civilized society".

"We strongly condemn this barbaric and cowardly act in the highest degree.

We appeal to state government to bring justice by arresting the culprits and giving them befitting punishment according to the law of the land at the earliest," added the statement of Machengluang village authority.

It also expressed its appreciation to The Justice Demand Committee for Athuan Abonmai and other CSOs which are working to bring justice.

"We are in full support of their initiatives and we are always with them," said the release.

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