Various organisations including Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), Zeliangrong Civil Society Organisations, Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) have expressed shocked and condemned the killing of former president of Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) Athuan Abonmai, who was reportedly abducted and killed on September 22. Abonmai was killed shortly after he was whisked away from Tamenglong district headquarters where a government function, attended by Manipur chief minister Biren Singh, was held amid tightened security on September 22.
WC, NNPGs: Working Committee of NNPGs described as “most barbaric” the abduction and cold-blooded murder of late Athuan Abonmai, and said the killing has “come as a rude shock to all peace-loving communities of the NE.”
In a statement, WC, NNPGs convener N Kitovi Zhimomi and co-conveners said that the presence of Manipur chief minister Biren Singh and hundreds of security forces in the vicinity “failed to prevent a broad daylight abduction and subsequent murder, shows how outspoken community leaders are becoming easy prey to criminal organisations.”
WC said Naga people want to know whether Manipur state forces were “hand in glove armed organisations”. It said that until the perpetrators were caught and persecuted, Biren Singh would have “blood on his hands.” WC also said that “groups and organisations committing terrorist acts to stifle rights of individuals and communities must be challenged effectively and collectively.”
Describing late Athuan Abonmei as “a lion hearted societal watchdog”, WC said he spoke his mind freely “without fear or favour in the face of dire threats, even as his peers crumbled and knelt before gun and money power.”
According to WC, Abonmei purportedly said “The Zeliangrong people shall master in their own land”. It said that he stood firm against “elements” keeping the interest of Zealiangrong and Naga people above all else, “fully aware of the absolute political and economic bondage of his land and people.”
Further, WC said late Abonmei faced much heat for his “damning critique on crimelords and corrupt social order and never evaporated like “many feeble community leaders.”
WC also said he was “a ruthless critic against ruthless groups” that were “bent on keeping communities under tight leash with threats, false narrative and impractical nationalism.”
Stating that it had positive interactions with late Abonmai in the past, WC said it deeply cherished the “heart warming mutual respect”.
WC said Nagas, Meiteis, Kukis and other communities must learn to co-exist and progress as equal partners in the neighbourhood as they have lived together for centuries and would continue to do so. “Mutual respect and recognition for each other’s history is important,” WC said.
Meanwhile, WC, NNPGs conveyed condolences to the family of late Athuan Abonmai and prayed that Almighty God’s grace be with the family. It also prayed that the departed leader rest in eternal peace.
NMA: Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) expressed shocked and condemned the abduction and killing of former president of ZB (AMN) and Zeliangrong leader, Athuan Abonmai by armed gunmen at Tamenglong area.
In a press note, NMA president Abei-ü Meru and secretary Lochumbeni Humtsoe said that killings cannot be justified under any circumstances and urged “all armed brothers to abstain from shedding blood again and give the process of dialogue and building peace amongst ourselves a better chance.”
NMA also urged all leaders in this fragile political situation, both civil society and armed groups “to remember our solidarity as a people and a struggling nation”.
It further sought for justice against the perpetrators from authorities concerned. NMA conveyed condolences to the wife, children and family for the tragic loss and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
NTC: In a statement, Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) president Toniho Yepthomi and general secretary Nribemo Ngullie said they were shocked at the gruesome assassination of Abonmai, who was a social worker and public leader too.
They said the killing had not only sent shock waves across the States, but disturbed the minds of peace-loving Nagas who are yearning for peace and have lived in relatively peaceful atmosphere in the past few years.
According to them, the abduction and subsequent murder of “own people” in cold blood was a grim reminder of how many precious lives of Nagas were extirpated during fratricidal clashes between various factions some years ago, which they insisted should not be allowed to occur yet again.
As precious lives could only be given by God, the duo mentioned that taking the law in one’s own hand and taking another person’s life without any reservation, whatever may be the reason, was against humanity and God’s given law. Therefore, they said NTCcondemned the “dastardly act of trigger-happy armed assailant (s) who are totally bereft of the sense of value for human life”. They urged the Manipur government on behalf of NTCto ensure that no stone was left unturned in unearthing the culprits and book them as per law of the land without delay.
They also conveyed the council’s deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that Almighty God grant them courage to bear the loss of their dear one.
ZCOs: Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) consisting of ZB (AMN), ZB State units, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union and Zeliangrong Youth Front strongly condemned the abduction, torture and subsequent gruesome killing of Abonmai.
The Dimki session of ZB (AMN) at Asalu village on Thursday expressed anguish on the cold-blooded murder of its former leader without any cognisable reason. Pointing out that the incident happened right in front of security personnel and in the presence of Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, the ZCOs termed this as “highest degree of mockery”, stating that the government’s complacency was highly questionable, considering the location and time of the incident.
ZCOs said that the murder and loss of a shrewd leader and the humiliation meted out to Zeliangrong community was hard to bear. They stressed that any difference in opinion, interest or ideology could be solved with democratic spirit. Suspecting the involvement of underground groups in the incident, they asked them to identify the culprits and take befitting action against them in order to stop confusion.
WSH: Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has expressed “utter disgust” at the killing of Athuan Abonmai and affirmed that it had “never, and will never, condone killings”, which it said was an anti-thesis to the very basic ethos of Christian faith.
In a press release, WSH president Shikaho Zhimomi said that killing of Abonmai was “all the more disgustful because he was first taken, and then killed.”
Questioning what kind of conscience could commit such an act, WSH asked “if this is not a wake-up call for Nagas, then what is?”
The hoho said that kidnappings, assassinations and killings killed the greater Naga aspirations in the past, and “we still haven’t learned from our past.”
WSH said this was the moment for all the Naga people to stand up against such gross injustice and atrocities, “which must not be tolerated in this day and age.”
WSH also extended its heartfelt sympathy and prayer to the immediate and extended family of late Abonmai. WSH reassured the Baudi that it stood with the Zeliangrong community in its fight for social justice.