‘We have a right to know why he was killed’

June 9, 2024 15 Views No Comment

New Market businesses to remain closed until culprits are booked

Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 9

New Market Dimapur wore a deserted look on Saturday after the New Market Business Owners Association (NMBOA) called all business establishments in their jurisdiction to down their shutters in light of the killing of Abdul Kayum Talukdar, Gaonbura (GB) of New Market on June 7 night. Talukdar was on his way to an apartment at Signal Basti evening bazaar when he was shot from close range by unidentified assailants who followed him inside the apartment complex.

Following the closure, a funeral for the deceased was held in the afternoon at New Market parking-cum shopping complex. The funeral service had in attendance representatives from the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD), Dimapur GB Association and NMBOA.

During the funeral service, MCD working president, Aidur Rahman stated that while the reason behind the killing is not known, it is imperative for the law enforcement to find the culprits and deliver justice to the family. “We have the right to know why he was killed,” he said.

In 2008, a similar circumstance occurred, he mentioned, wherein a GB belonging from the Muslim community was shot dead “but we still do not know who and why he was killed.” He made an appeal to the gathering, to cooperate with the police officials during the investigation process.

Several other speakers spoke at length about the incident, condemned the dastardly act in the highest possible manner.

President of NMBOA, Kevin Yepthomi mentioned that this was the third incident where a member of the area had been killed. “How long will we tolerate gun culture?” he questioned.

He said that besides the culprit who committed the act, the authorities should also investigate as to who was behind it all.

Dimapur had been peaceful with no untoward incident of such nature being witnessed for several years now, he claimed. However this incident has broken the tranquility of the district.

At the same time, the NMBOA President stated that the shutter down will go on indefinitely until the culprits have been identified and booked by the law enforcement agencies. This does not only affect the common citizens but also the business owners, he said.

He mentioned that there were about 2300 business establishments within New Market. The post-mortem of the deceased was completed on Saturday morning from District Hospital Dimapur. The mortal remains of Talukdar was later taken to his native village in Karimganj, Assam.