The six-point agreements include appointment of Athuan Abonmai’s eldest son to the post of sub inspector in Manipur Police department and payment of Rs 10 lakh as compensation. The suspension of Tamenglong DC and SP which was one of the JAC’s demands did not figure in the MoA.
TFM News Service
Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the ‘Brutal Murder of Athuan Abonmai’ has suspended its agitation following the signing of a six-point Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the government of Manipur on Wednesday.
A six-point Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed by the representatives of the JAC — convenor Majabung Gangmei and advisor Jangamlung Panmei — and special secretary (home), government of Manipur Gyan Prakash.
According to the MoA, it was acknowledged that the First Information Report (FIR) lodged following the killing of Abonmai has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
An inquiry into the facts and circumstances leading to the death of late Athuan Abonmai, and to fix responsibility thereof, will be conducted by an officer not below the rank of an additional chief secretary to the government of Manipur. The probe will be completed within three months and the inquiry instituted will be independent from the investigation to be conducted by NIA. The findings will be submitted to the NIA.
The eldest son of late Athuan Abonmai will be appointed to the post of Sub Inspector (SI) in the Manipur police department.
An amount of Rs. 10 lakh will be paid as compensation to the next-of-kin of late Athuan Abonmai.
It was also agreed to identify a suitable memorial site to be identified by the deputy commissioner concerned in consultation with the JAC.
Following the signing of the MoA, the JAC agreed to suspend all forms of agitation and also extend cooperation to the police and all investigating agencies to facilitate early completion of the probe. The JAC will take steps for receiving the body of the late Athuan Abonmai for conducting the funeral, with assistance from the deputy commissioner concerned.
JAC expresses gratitude
Wednesday’s breakthrough came after the JAC and chief minister N Biren Singh held talks for the fourth time. The government of Manipur and the JAC had already held three meetings on September 26, 27 and October 3 and 6 in connection with the demands raised by the JAC.
The meeting on Wednesday was attended by Rajesh Kumar, Chief Secretary, LM Khaute DGP, L Kailun ADGP, Ashutosh Sinha ADGP, Gyan Prakash Special Secretary, Th Kirenkumar Singh DC, Imphal West, Angam Kamei DIG, S Ibomcha SP Imphal West. The JAC Convenor Majabung Gangmei, JAC advisor Jangamlung Panmei led the team comprised of the leaders of the Zeliangrong Civil Organisations — Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Union, Zeliangrong Youth Front, Zeliangrong Students’ Union and Kabui Mother’s Association.
In a release, the JAC expressed its gratitude to all the leading civil society organisations of Manipur that have extended “moral support and physical participation”. People’s participation, maximum support and cooperation have enabled the MoA with the government, said the JAC.
The JAC will later announce the date, place and time of the funeral programme. It had requested all the civil society organisation leaders and people from different parts of Manipur to come together and pay the last respect to the departed leader.
JAC’s Original Demands
Following the abduction and brutal murder of Athuan Abonmai on September 22, the JAC on September 23 submitted a representation to chief minister N Biren Singh.
The JAC had demanded a high-level National Investigation Agency (NIA) inquiry on the conspiracy of abduction, torture and subsequent murder of Athuan Abonmai under IPC 302, 364.
It also demanded the immediate suspension of the DC and SP of Tamenglong district as the abduction happened in broad daylight in front of the security personnel deployed at the government function being held.
The JAC had maintained that they will withhold the funeral of Athuan Abonmai until the culprits are arrested and justice provided to the victim and his family and the values he stood for. It also demanded appropriate compensation.
The JAC also sought to replace the inquiry committee chairman K Radhashyam Singh, IG (Intelligence) “whose negligence, inefficiency and ineffectiveness had created security lapses that led to the abduction and subsequent killing of Athuan Abonmai.
The JAC had imposed a 48-hour road Blockade on National Highways 29 and 37 from September 27 midnight till 29 midnight. On October 4, with the support of many CSOs, Meira Paibi groups, student bodies, local clubs, etc, the JAC had imposed a 24-hour state-wide total shutdown.