Death of Aging : Moses, Sonia remanded
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2023: The police custody remand of NSCN (IM) deputy kilonser Moses Gonmei and Thokchom Sonia who were arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Akoijam Nonganba alias Aging of Kwakeithel Awang Konjeng Leikai has been extended.

Meanwhile, the Tuilongkun Area Women Association has threatened to impose bandh on Imphal-Dimapur highway if all the culprits involved in the brutal murder are not booked by March 15 and the villagers are not given an opportunity for customary rituals of purifying the village.

Moses Gonmei (41) s/o Chunguangpou of Namgailong Rongmei, Senapati district and Thokchom Sonia (40) d/o Th Shanti Kumar of Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai were produced before the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kangpokpi today.

The Court remanded Moses Gonmei to police custody for four days and Sonia for five days.

They are charged under IPC Sections 302/120-B and 34 .

Through an APP, the IO of the case submitted that Nonganba, aged around 40, was found dead on February 12 beside Imphal-Dimapur highway near Changoubung village after he was beaten mercilessly.

An SIT was formed on the next day to investigate the case and Sonia was questioned.

Following the disclosure of Sonia, Moses Gonmei and one Stephen Dangmei were identified as suspects of the murder case.

Moses Gonmei was arrested from his home on February 13 night.

Sonia was questioned again on February 17 and she was arrested on the same day as her demeanour looked suspicious.

Narrating the disclosures made by Moses Gonmei and Sonia, the APP said that Nonganba and Sonia left for Senapati in a car (Maruti Swift) on February 11 as they were invited to a meal by Stephen Dangmei.

The car belongs to Sonia.

They reached Senapati at around 10 am.

Nonganba, Sonia, Stephen and Moses met at Moses' home.

Nonganba, Stephen and Moses had drinks (alcohol) at a vacant space located between Moses' home Jamning valley.

Sonia was also present there but she did not drink.

It was said that Stephen and Nonganba came to know each other first.

They had meal at Moses' home at around 4 pm.

Then they headed toward Senapati Bazar in Sonia's car.

They parked the car in front of an ATM booth at Senapati Bazar.

Then Stephen and Moses who were already staying at Shepoumaramth Lodge (hotel) booked another room in the same hotel.

There Nonganba chided and slapped Sonia.

Stephen and Moses retaliated by slapping Nonganba.

It was said that Stephen, Moses and Nonganba had already started an argument from the time they drank together.

After a heated argument and following fervent requests by Nonganba, Stephen gave the car key to Sonia and she handed it over to Nonganba.

Then Nonganba drove away from the hotel but he came back after around 15 minutes and called out Sonia.

This led to a heated argument among the four of them.

Moses even threatened to kill Nonganba if his boss (Stephen) gave the order.

It is suspected that Stephen and Moses overpowered and took Nonganba to some place and killed him before dumping the body at Changoubung, the APP told the Court.

The APP then prayed the Court to remand both Moses Gonmei and Sonia in police custody for thorough investigation of the case.

As Moses and Sonia were produced before the Court, the JAC members, leaders of many CSOs and members of Changoubung Area Women Association tried to storm the Court complex demanding justice for Nonganba.

In response, Kangpokpi Police took up stringent security measures so as to avoid any untoward incident.

One Mary who is said to be a key member of Tuilongkun Area Women Association said that the brutal murder of Nonganba and dumping of his body at Changoubung was an inhumane act which ought to be condemned by one and all.

Saying that this was not the first case of dumping dead bodies in their area, Mary said it was a matter of grave concern that an innocent man was killed in the most brutal manner and Changoubung villagers have been defamed for no fault of theirs.

As per Kuki customs, rituals and prayers are held at places where dead bodies are dumped.

As such, a bandh would be imposed on Imphal-Dimapur highway if all the culprits involved in the murder are not booked by March 15 and Tuilongkun villagers are not given an opportunity to perform customary rituals and purify the village, she said.

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