The JAC said in statement the massive people’s participation, support and cooperation extended to the its calls for justice for the departed leader is a clear manifestation of the united voice of the people reflecting their anguish and sentiment and at the same time sending a clear message to all to shun violent activities
TFM Report
A near-total and peaceful 24-hour shutdown was observed across Manipur on Monday in response to a call given by Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Murder of Shri AthuanAbonmai demanding justice for the departed leader. While the roads in the valley bore a deserted look, the hill districts were less affected by the total shutdown. Major markets, shops, business establishments, government offices, amongst others remained shut during the day.
Although some private vehicles were seen plying on the streets, bandh supporters enquired where they were going. Many took out candlelight vigil in the evening demanding justice for the late social activist and politician.
From early morning bandh supporters came out at Uripok, Khuyathong, Thangmeiband, Hatta, Khonghampat, Grace Colony, Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, and other parts of the valley. Roads were blocked using trees and other materials.
At around noon, members of Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO) came out on the streets at Hatta and blocked the road. Police came and tried to clear the road and a scuffle broke out. The bandh supporters resort to sloganeering to register their demand for justice for Athuan Abonmai.
Meira Paibi groups of Thangmeiband area also came out in support of the bandh and took out a rally. In the Uripok area, members of Uripok Apunba Lup, Uripok Helpline, local clubs and Meira Paibis blocked the road. At around 5:00 pm police came and tried to disperse the bandh supporters. A scuffle broke out and the road was eventually cleared.
There were no reports of any untoward incidents during the total shutdown. State security personnel were deployed at strategic points.
Meanwhile, the JAC’s media cell said “Despite uploading and circulating misleading information on some social media groups, the people’s movement cannot be sabotaged nor defeated but the JAC’s 24-hour statewide shutdown was successful.”
The JAC said in statement the massive people’s participation, support and cooperation extended to the JAC calls for justice for the departed leader is a clear manifestation of the united voice of the people reflecting the people’s anguish and sentiment and at the same time sending a clear message to all to shun violent activities as the people are fed up of killing/murders of people by the underground groups for differences.
Expressing gratitude to all leaders of various leading Civil Societies Organizations for extending fullest support and cooperation to its shutdown call, The JAC appeal to all the right thinking people to continue participating and extending their fullest support and cooperation in the days ahead as the JAC craving for justice is determined to continue the protest movement against the government until it delivers justice.
It hailed Civil Societies Organizations particularly UCM, AMUCO, IPSA, MMWO, UPF, MAPI COUNCIL,CLK, PANDM, HERICOUN,ACOAM-LUP, AMKIL,NUPI SAMAJ, TAMMI CHINGMI, NONGPOK LEINGAK APUNBA NUPI LUP, ANUL, NIMPAL, THOUBAL IMA, UMO, THANIL NIPCO, CADA, UPACO, AMPFA, EECHAL, EEVFAM, MACHA LEIMA, AMSU, DESAM, MSF, KSA, SUK, AIMS, TUC, MCM, NCHROetc, Meira Paibis (Women’s folks) and various Women’s Organizations, different Youths and Students Organizations, Local Clubs and Meira Paibis and Associations for their support.
The JAC said the people’s movement launched against the State Government for the incompetency to protect the life of its citizen and the inefficiency of the State Government in dealing ineffectively even the brutal murder issue of Athuan Abonmai on September 22, 2021 at Tamenglong District Headquarters will continue until justice is delivered.
The JAC expressed surprise at some individuals who are allegedly trying to mislead the general public even in such a murder case by uploading and circulating misleading information on some social media groups which is in fact is an intentional and deliberate attempt trying to sabotage the people’s protest movement craving for justice.
“The JAC will continue to carry democratic forms of protest movement against the government until the charter of demands placed by the JAC is fulfilled so that lives of the people of the entire State are secured and not reduced to the level of cheapest commodity,” it added.
JAC further said that it is high time for the people of the entire State to rise above caste and creed so that the lives of the people are not put to risks anymore but to put an end to this kind of killing by any individual or groups in the future.
Athuan Abonmai, the former president and advisor of Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) was abducted by suspected cadres of NSCN (I-M) on September 22 from Pologround, Tamenglong Headquarter, right under the nose of the large security forces deployed in the area for a function — Go to Hills 2.0, an outreach programme of the state government. The function was attended by chief minister N Biren Singh along with other cabinet ministers.
The chief minister drew flak for not immediately launching a search operation for Athuan. According to reports, the chief minister along with his ministers continued with the function and even played an exhibition football match at the Pologround. Later the chief minister himself admitted the fact that there were security lapses when the brutal incident happened. He as the home minister apologized to the people of the state for security lapses.
Following the CM’s admission to security lapses, CSOs and political parties demanded resignation of CM Biren during the inquiry. They argued that the inquiry will not be meaningful if the chief minister, who is also the home minister of the state, remains in his position. They demanded to investigate whether there was any conspiracy and collusion in the abduction and brutal killing of Athuan Abonmai.