“Killing of Athuan Abonmai is an attack on all of us. Instead of killing those who stood for their motherland one by one, they should kill us all at once,” asserted L Nganbi.
TFM Report
As many as 19 CSOs, Meira Paibi groups and student body came out in support of the 24-hours statewide total shutdown called by the Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Murder of Shri Athuan Abonmai. The total shutdown comes into effect from midnight of October 3.
A joint press conference was held at AMSU HQ, Imphal by representatives of AMKIL, ANUL, AMFPA, AMSU, CADA, EECHAL, EEVFAM, Mapi Council, Macha Leima, Nupi Samaj, Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup, NIMPAL, NIPCO, Tammi Chingmi, Thoubal Ima, Thanil, UMO, UPF, and UPACO.
Stating that Manipur is becoming a killing field where anyone who speaks the truth is being killed, AMKIL president in-charge, L Nganbi asserted that the government should make sure that the state doesn’t become such a killing field.
She also raised suspicion whether Athuan Abonmai was killed by the prime suspect — NSCN (I-M) — in collusion with Indian Army, Government of India, and Government of Manipur.
Contending that the alleged camp of NSCN (I-M) at Bunning, Tamenglong was being protected by the Indian Army, she asserted that camps of other insurgent groups should also be protected. If the India Army cannot protect the lives of the people of the state, what is the point of their deployment in the state, she asked.
“Killing of Athuan Abonmai is an attack on all of us. Instead of killing those who stood for their motherland one by one, they should kill us all at once,” she asserted. Those responsible for his killing should make public the reason for committing such a heinous crime, she added.
Since Athuan Abonmai was picked up right under the nose of the huge state machinery, it is the responsibility of the state government to bring justice in the case, she asserted.
NIPCO president Th Manihar asserted that people are not satisfied with the arrests of the two individuals, which the police are saying are the prime suspects in the case, when the real culprits are still at large. The state government should stop lobbying to different groups and misled the people, he added.
He also appealed to the people of state, both hills and valleys, to support the 24-hours bandh, and stand united against the “terrorism of NSCN (I-M)”.
It may be mentioned that 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.