Manipur Chief Minister N Biren on Friday acknowledged security lapses during his visit to Tamenglong on September 22 and apologised to the people of the state in connection with the death of Athuan Abonmai, former president, Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN). Strongly condemning the act as a "cowardly act", he also said that the state government will not spare anyone involved in the killing of Abonmai, regardless of their political background. The state government had on Thursday suspended 16 security personnel in connection with the case.
Speaking to media persons at the Secretariat in Imphal, Biren said a massive combined forces operation has been launched to hunt down the perpetrators in Tamenglong district. The operation will continue until the culprits are arrested, he added.
Acknowledging security lapses and condemning himself and the silent act of the state forces when Abonmai was abducted by suspected militants from the venue of the programme of the chief minister’s visit to Tamenglong, the chief minister, as also the home minister, apologised to the people of Manipur.
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An action plan has been taken up at the Home Ministry level, he said, adding 16 state force personnel, including the officer-in-charge of Tamenglong police station have been suspended for their negligence in decharging their duties.
Asserting that interrogation of the suspended police personnel will be taken up separately by a strong probe committee headed by the IG (Intelligence) K Radhashyam, he said necessary legal action will be taken against those police personnel if they are found having any collusion with the people involved in the abduction and killing of Abonmai.
Abonmai was abducted by unidentified persons from the high security zone at Apollo Ground, Tamenglong HQ, while the programme of the CM’s visit to the district was underway at the venue. His dead body was found the same day in a forest area near Pallong village in Tamei sub-division, Tamenglong district.
If any groups in peace talk with the Centre are found involved in the hideous crime, the case will be handed over to NIA as in the murder case of late SDO Kishan.
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Extending his deepest condolences to the family members and well wishers of late Abonmai, Biren assured to provide maximum possible support from the government such as special ex-gratia to the family members and a suitable government job to a family member of late Abonmai.
The government will take up every necessary measure to maintain law and order in the state, Biren added.
The chief minister's press briefing on Friday was attended by the DGP, Manipur and other high-ranking officials of the Manipur Police department.
