Without the mentioning the name of terrorist organisation behind the murder, the police said during the course of investigation, it is revealed that the accused persons are involved in the case and are also members of the terrorists’ gang. They are raising funds for terrorists’ activities as well.
TFM News Service
The Chief Judicial Magistrate Tamenglong on Tuesday sent two suspects arrested in connection with brutal murder of former President, Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) Athuan Abonmai. Granting police custody, the CJM said, “Considering the gravity of offence committed, he finds it proper to remand the accused into police custody for smooth investigation of the case.”
Meanwhile, Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Murder of Shri Athuan Abonmai on Tuesday deferred the state wide total shutdown on September 30 in view of the Lamyanba Hijam Irabot of 125th Birth Anniversary .
JAC Convener Majabung Gangmei, in a press statement, said the decision followed request from Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) and Lamyanba Irabot Ningsing Thouram Observation Committee for deferring its shut down call issued on September 25 in order to pay a tribute to Lamyanba Hijam Irabot on the 125th Birth Anniversary.
According to the police, two persons identified as Ponthantung Panmei @ Paul (47) S/o. Langai Panmei of Konthoujam Maning Tribal Colony and) Lanchapou Bosco Gonmei (48) S/o, (L) Gaikhangsingpou Gonmei of Langol Laimanai were suspected to be prime accused in the case. Both were arrested on Monday at 08 00 am and 09:10 am by a team of CDO/IW respectively. Six mobile handsets along with the sim cards were seized from them.
The arrested accused were produced before the CJM through video conference with a prayer for remanding them into police custody for a period of 15 (fifteen) days till October 12, 2021.
Presenting the brief fact of the case, police said that they received a complaint on September 22 from Arai Abonmai (28) S/o. Athuan Abonmai of Machngluang, Lamlaba, Tamenglong Dist A/p Tarung Grace Colony, Lamphelpat reported to OC Lamphel PS stating that his father has been kidnapped and abducted on the same day at 11.30 am by NSCN(IM) cadres from Tamengiong Headquarters, Pologround.
The police further said as there is apprehension that his father may be harmed by the UGs, a Zero FIR case was registered by the OC LPS and the case has been transferred from OC/Lamphel PS to TML PS as the incident took place under TML PS. Accordingly, OC TML PS has registered a case under FIR No4(09) 2021 TML Ps u/s 365/400/34 IPC.
The previous IO conducted spot inquiry, one partially broken/burnt White Maruts Gypsy bearing Regn. No: NL 07 C – 5873, one large metallic hammer was found and blood swab collected on a piece of cotton which is suspected to be the blood sample of the deceased person during the commission of the heinous crime, police added.
Without the mentioning the name of terrorist organisation behind the murder, the police said during the course of investigation, it is revealed that the accused persons are involved in the case and are also members of the terrorists’ gang. They are raising funds for terrorists’ activities as well, police added.
Therefore, Sections 16, 17 & 20 UAP Act were added to the FIR, they said.
“In the light of the above facts and circumstances, the nature of the heinous crime committed by the accused persons which is suspected to be in collaboration with a powerful armed organization, is highly required to be remanded into police custody for thorough investigation so as to identify the actual accused persons involved in the crime as well as motive of the crime and to bring to book, which will have a big positive ramification in the society,” police said.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Lamneichong Haokip represented the state while Advocate P Tomchou appeared for the accused.
The APP for the State prays the court for remanding the accused persons into Police custody for a period of 15 (fifteen) days for smooth investigation of the case.
However, the counsel for the accused orally submitted that 15 days police remand is a long period of time and unnecessary as such, and prayed the court for reducing the days the accused are remanded into the police custody.