The 24-hour bandh called by JAC against the murder of Athuan Abonmai from October 3rd midnight till October 4th midnight remained largely unaffected across the hill districts of Manipur.
Senapati, Chandel, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Phrezwal, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tamenglong, Noney remains open for business as usual.
Although the Kuki Student’s Organisation, Sadar Hills had earlier announced support to the JAC, the total shutdown call was neither endorsed nor enforced in Kangpokpi district, according to reliable source. Businesses in the border town Moreh is largely unaffected, according to source.
Traffic in NH-102 Chandel area is reportedly lesser as compared to normal day, according to source.
It may be mentioned that BJP national leaders had summoned chief minister N Biren, Works minister T Biswajit and Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, president of BJP Manipur Pradesh on October 1. N Biren had said they were summoned to Delhi to chalk out the upcoming 2022 election strategy.
Upon his return, N Biren took to Facebook on Sunday saying, “Right after I got back to Imphal, held a meeting with the JAC regarding the murder of Athuan Abonmai. As the Govt. has now handed over the case to NIA, we discussed the way forward to bring the perpetrators to justice. We will meet again to address few more issues.”
Six student bodies AMSU, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK, AIMS had also resolved to support the 24 hours statewide bandh called by JAC Against the Brutal Murder of Athuan Abonmai. Sunday’s meeting with the chief minister reiterated its charter of demands including the suspension of the then deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Tamenglong district on the grounds that Athuan Abonmai’s abduction and subsequent murder took place because of their negligence and inefficiency.
A report in The Sangai Express Sunday quoted the chief minister saying, “The Chief Minister, on the other hand, stated that the abduction of Athuan Abonmai was not informed to him by the DC and SP on time. The fact itself is one of the valid grounds which is enough to suspect collusion and conspiracy of the DC and SP with the perpetrators which warrant their immediate suspension if not termination, said the Chief Minister.”
However on the same issue, former minister and veteran politician, Okram Joy said that during the NIA probe into Athuan Abonmai case, N Biren should step down for transparency and speedy conduct of the investigation. Ministry of Home Affairs on October 1 had ordered National Investigation Agency to take up investigation on the gruesome killing of Athuan Abonmai, former president of the Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam Manipur Nagaland).
It may be mentioned that Manipur police on September 28 (Tuesday) arrested two men suspects, allegedly involved in connection with the murder of Athuan Abonmai. Both the suspects were produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West.
