Murder of Abonmai draws condemnations galore
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 23 2021: Many organisations and political parties have condemned the assassination of Athuan Abonmai, advisor and former president of Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) by unknown gunmen at Pallong village of Tamei sub division, Tamenglong district yesterday while many others have mourned his death.

The Kuki National Organisation (KNO), while condoling the untimely demise of Athuan Abonmai, condemned the 'cowardly act of assassination that ended the life of a brave leader' .

"It is a great shame that the NSCN (IM), which seeks justice in the name of Christ should act in such a contradictory and cowardly manner against a civilian" it claimed in a statement.

The statement further stated that the KNO and Zeliangrong Baudi leaders including Athuan Abonmai discussed at length the various challenges 'we face as kindred communities with undeniable proximity in lineage and sociopolitical prospect on March 23, 2019' .

Alleging that NSCN (IM) has a history of eliminating prominent leaders of various communities in Manipur and Nagaland, the KNO urged the Government of India to re-examine the claims of the NSCN (IM) before finalising any deal with them.

The KNO prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur (ZSUM), in its statement, said that they strongly condemn the brutal killing of Athuan Abonmai by 'irrational stock' on Sept 22.Saying that Athuan Abonmai was a dynamic leader who stood for the truth, the ZSUM urged both the Central and State Governments to bring the culprits to book.

The students union also extended sympathy to the bereaved family.

The Naga Hoho has also condemned the killing of Athuan Abonmai, former president of Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) and termed the incident as an act of "cowardice" .

Abonmai was abducted by unidentified people from Tamenglong headquarters on Wednesday and his lifeless body was found 30 kms from the district headquarters.

"While the Naga civil societies are struggling all these years for unity and reconciliation among the Nagas, it is disturbing and unfortunate to hear the news of fratricidal killing taking place within the Naga family," said Naga Hoho in a statement.

"Whatever be the rhyme or reason, the killing of Athuan Abonmai is a cowardly act and deserves condemnation by every right thinking citizen," it added.

It then said that every "political group" must not forget to respect the people's sentiments to avoid killings, kidnapping or unnecessary harassment of the innocent public.

Naga Hoho then appealed to all "political groups" to shun the path of violence and come forward to work for the peace to prevail in "our land".

The United Committee Manipur (UCM) also condemned the 'assassination' of Athuan Abonmai after abducting him from a high security zone by armed miscreants in the strongest term.

A press release issued by the UCM claimed that Abonmai was abducted from Apollo ground at Tamenglong where a programme with the Chief Minister in attendance was held on September 22.Saying that they observed 2 minute silence to mourn the demise of Athuan Abonmai, the UCM stated that the deceased leader had contributed much to keep the unity of Manipur intact during his lifetime.

The UCM stated that Manipur as a whole has lost a great leader on his demise and extended condolence to the bereaved family.

It urged the Government to book the culprits and reward befitting punishment at the earliest.

The All Manipur Students' Union stated that the abduction of Athuan Abonmai from an area where strict security measures were taken for the conduct of an official programme by a banned outfit is questionable.

The AMSU then urged the Government to probe the incident thoroughly and punish whoever is found guilty publicly.

The student union also extended condolence to the bereaved family.

The Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi (LPNR) also expressed its anguish over the killing, stating that the heinous act is not justifiable in a civilised society.

The LPNR then urged the perpetrators to refrain from such an act in future.

It also urged the authority concerned to give befitting punishment to the killers.

"May God console the bereaved family.

Our prayer is with you," it said.

The Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi (LNKR), on the other hand, said that the killing of Athuan Abonmai is not just the murder of a leader but an attack on human race as a whole.

Asserting that guns and violence is never the way to silence a voice, the LNKR said that freedom of speech and expression is a natural right which a human being acquires on birth.

The LNKR urged the Government to bring justice to the departed soul.

The Naga People's Front (NPF) also condoled the demise of Athuan Abonmai.

According to its statement, Athuan Abonmai served as general secretary of NPF from January 13 to December 2014 .

He also contested the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election as an NPF candidate from Tamei Constituency.

Condemning the 'cold blooded killing' of Athuan Abonmai, the Joint Tribes Council (JTC) urged whoever committed the 'dastardly act to come out with the reasons behind the act' .

The JTC said that they are taken aback by the 'assassination' of Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) former president yesterday despite appealing for his safe release.

In a joint statement, the Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Zone, Manipur, Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief Chairman Association and Ahangruak Chief Chairman Association stated that the killing of Athuan Abonmai is totally unacceptable in a democratic society.

"One should not take the life of others based on ideological differences," it added.

The Liangmai civil organisations appealed to the law enforcing agencies to take immediate action so as to prevent recurrence of 'such a disgraceful act in future'.

"May the Almighty give strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss," it prayed.

The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) stated that Athuan Abonmai was supposedly murdered by unidentified miscreants.

"Reason behind the act may be established and justice delivered to the bereaved family and relatives, but his life has been snatched away and the dead man speaks no lie.

The loss is deeply felt and lamented by the Zeliangrong people," said ZUF.

The ZUF also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and relatives of the deceased.

The Left parties too have condemned the killing of Athuan Abonmai.

The Left parties viz.

CPI, CPI(M), RSP and AIFB, during a meeting at Irawat Bhawan today, condemned the kidnapping and killing of Athuan Abonmai.

The Left Parties demanded a high level enquiry on the kidnapping of Athuan Abonmai from the high security zone and the killing afterwards.

The Left parties shared the grief and sorrows of the deceased family.

The Students' Union of Kangleipak (SUK) also condemned the killing of the former president of Zeliangrong Baudi.

It urged the Government to book the culprits without awaiting a public movement.

The apex body of the Kukis, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) also condoled the killing of Athuan Abonmai in the strongest terms.

Kuki Inpi Manipur claimed that Athuan Abonmai was abducted by suspected cadres of NSCN (IM) from Tamenglong on September 22 at around 11.30 am.

He was reportedly found shot dead near Pallong village in the same district in the evening.

His death is an irreparable loss not only to his family members and the Zeliangrong community but also to the people of Manipur, KIM said and urged the authorities concerned to book the culprits at the earliest.

It also offered condolence to the bereaved family.

The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights-South sector (NPMHR-S) too condemned the "kidnapping and brutal killing" of Abonmai and appealed to all sections of society to remain vigilant.

"Our anger and condemnation must not deprive the due course of justice for the victim of such senseless killings.

No amount of justification will exonerate what was done to Abonmai.

The NPMHR expresses our deep anguish and condolences," it added.

Zeliangrong Students' Union Delhi (ZSUD) and Zeliangrong Welfare Association Delhi (ZWAD) conemned the murder of Athuan Abonmai and demanded State and Central Government law enforcement agenices to take swift action and punish the people involved in the crime as per the law.

ZSUD and ZWAD also expressed condolence and shared the grief the bereaved family.

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