The JAC also announced to impose the 24 hrs statewide total shutdown (bandh) which was deferred considering the appeal made from different organisations. The total shutdown will come into effect from the midnight of October 3 till the midnight of October 4.
TFM Desk
The Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Murder of Shri Athuan Abonmai accused chief minister N Biren Singh of shielding the culprits and demanded his resignation on moral grounds.
In a release, the JAC also announced to impose the 24 hrs statewide total shutdown (bandh) which was deferred considering the appeal made from different organisations. The total shutdown will come into effect from the midnight of October 3 till the midnight of October 4, 2021.
“The JAC has been observing the manner of dealing of the state government with confidence regarding the incident of abduction and subsequent barbaric and brutal killing of Athuan Abonmai, former president, Zeliangrong Baudi on 22nd September, 2021 but the state government under the chief minister N Biren Singh has been seemingly shielding the culprits instead of giving the culprits befitting punishment,” the release stated.
The JAC said that the incident occurred when the victim Athuan Abonmai with the full knowledge of District Administration and the chief minister of Manipur went to Tamenglong to attend the “Go to Hills” programme in which the chief minister himself graced the function as the chief guest where cabinet ministers and top ranking government official also attended the programme.
The release further said that representatives of the JAC met CM Biren twice, placed before him the charter of demands and conveyed the position of the JAC. The chief minister assured the JAC that the government will take up appropriate action but the state government failed to take up any satisfactory and appropriate action till day even after almost ten days, it added.
“The JAC is wondering about the compelling circumstances as to why the state government is so reluctant to tackle the matter despite assurance assured to the representative of the JAC”.
Stating that the nature of crime committed by the perpetrators and the particular suspected organisation behind the crime is well known by the state government, the JAC asserted that it is the responsibility of the state government to tackle and deal in the most effective ways sans JAC charter of demands.
“The nature of crime committed amidst the official programme is a clear indication of incompetent, ineffectiveness and irresponsibility of the state government. Therefore, the chief minister who is also in charge of the Home Department should resign immediately on moral grounds”.
The JAC also appealed to all the right thinking people irrespective of caste and creed to raise in unison in condemning the gruesome and merciless murder of Athuan Abonmai, so that the culprits are booked and justice is delivered to the departed soul.
“The united voice of the people’s and its protest movement launch against such gruesome murder will never be able to suppress by any force. Let the people of the state live in peace and harmony”.
The memorandum submitted to the chief minister on September 23, the JAC had demanded to order for a high-level National Investigation Agency (NIA) inquiry on the conspiracy of abduction, torture and subsequent murdered of Athuan Abonmai under IPC 302, 364.
It also demanded immediate suspension of the DC and SP of Tamenglong District because the abduction happened in broad daylight in front of the security personnels deployed at the government function.
The JAC had also 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. Appropriate compensation to the next kin of Athuan Abonmai was also demanded.
The JAC also demanded to replace the inquiry committee chairman K Radhashyam Singh, IG (Intelligence) whose negligence, inefficiency and ineffectiveness had created security lapses which has led to the abduction and subsequently killing of Athuan Abonmai.
The JAC had also imposed a 48-hours road Blockade on National Highways 29 and 37 from September 27 midnight till 29 midnight.