Locals of Langol Laimanai, organised by Ramgailong Thoubei and Langol Laimanai Meitei Leikai Meira Paibi, on Wednesday staged a sit-in demanding his release
TFM News Service
A day after Manipur police claimed to have arrested two prime suspects in the abduction and brutal killing of advisor and former president of Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN), Athuan Abonmai case, locals of one of the arrested accused claimed that he is innocent and not a cadre of NSCN (I-M) as claimed by the police.
On Tuesday, Lanchapou Bosco Gonmei (48) of Langol Laimanai and Ponthanlung Panmei aka Paul (47) of Konthoujam Maning Tribal Colony were arrested by Imphal West Commando and remanded to police custody for 15 days.
Locals of Langol Laimanai, organised by Ramgailong Thoubei and Langol Laimanai Meitei Leikai Meira Paibi, on Wednesday staged a sit-in protest demanding his release claiming that he is innocent.
A member of Langol Laimanai Meira Paibi, Ch Chandrakala asserted that the state government should stop arresting innocent persons in order to placate the people who are demanding arrest of the real culprits in the case.
Claiming that Bosco Gonmei is innocent, Ch Chandrakala said that he is a sub-agent of rice distribution and a business, and also a member of Ramgailong Village Authority.
Around five vehicles (Gypsy) of Imphal West Commando came to the residence of Bosco Gonmei at Langol Laimanai at around 6 am on Tuesday and he was picked up stating that there was some issue regarding the rice distribution. But we came to know from media reports that he was arrested on charges of being a member of NSCN (I-M) and one of the accused in the Athuan Abonmai Killing, she added.
Demanding that the government nab the real culprits, Saimom Premala, another member of Langol Laimanai Meira Paibi said that it was unfortunate that there were rumours that Bosco Gonmei was arrested from Tamenglong on September 26, when in fact he was picked up on Tuesday.
People won’t be satisfied with the effort to cover up the killing by simply arresting innocent people, she asserted, adding that Athuan Abonmai was a leader who worked for the state and all the communities.
The protestors held placards that read — Apprehend the real culprit not the dummy, Reveal the truth behind Abonmai Killing, Lanchapou is not connected to the murder, Stop blaming the innocent, amongst others.