Manipur Human Rights Commission set to investigate the death of Zeliangrong Leader

MHRC Image Courtesy:newindianexpress.com

The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) will begin its inquiry into the alleged kidnapping and brutal murder of social worker Athaun Abonmei on September 22 in Tamenglong district.

After the Police failed to make major headway into the investigation, the case was reportedly transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) since there were allegations that the Nagaland based army outfit was behind this.

As per The Hindu report, the Manipur rights body said that Abonmei’s wife had approached the commission on October 12 and assured her full cooperation to the inquiry. Their son and the leaders of the Joint Action Committee had also gone to MHRC on October 21 and assured the acting chairman, Khaidem Mani, of full cooperation.

After its full-fledged investigation, MHRC is expected to hand over the details to the NIA through the government.

What happened to Athaun Abonmei?

Advisor and former President of Zeliangrong Baudi, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland (AMN), Abonmei was a social activist. Zeliangrong is known to be one of the state’s most influential social groups.

Videos of his abduction in the presence of heavy police and paramilitary deployment had surfaced a month ago, and police personnels could be seen as mute spectators, not intervening, even as Abonmai was seen resisting the alleged abduction.

As per some media reports, he was allegedly abducted by the Isak Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) cadres from the gate of the ground where the state government’s outreach programme “Go to Hills 2.0” was being held.

The NSCN is known to be a Naga nationalist separatist group operating mainly in Northeast India. On November 16, 2015, the government of India had declared the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), NSCN (K), and all its formations and front organisations as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

This was done in retaliation to the June 4, 2015 attack on the Army convoy in Chandel district of Manipur.

After Abonmei’s abduction, his son, Arai Abonmai, filed an FIR at the Lamphel police station. As per The Quint, his complaint stated, “As there is apprehension that my father may be harmed, I prayed that immediate measures be taken up to rescue my father.” Arai informed the Police that his father had left home on September 22 to attend a community outreach programme of the government to bring equal development in both the hills and valley held at Tamenglong polo ground.

NDTV had reported that Athuan, who was found working closely with the Manipur government to better the lives of the Zeliangrong community in Manipur, had developed an unpleasant equation with a section of NSCN, as its demand for Greater Nagalim also includes the Naga-populated chunks from Manipur besides Assam, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.Though in ceasefire at Nagaland, intelligence sources have reportedly said that the outfit has been active in Manipur and south-eastern region of Arunachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the First Information Report, the post-mortem report and other essential documents have been handed over to the MHRC for the purpose of inquiry.