IMPHAL I September 8 (NNN): A court here today released former Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) convenor Khomdram Ratan Singh on bail after he was in judicial custody for weeks.
After the state government declared Khomdram as a wanted man for having links with the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in June last.
Khomdram had led a sustained public agitation under the banner of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) which has been campaigning for introduction of ILP in Manipur.
Manipur Police PRO declared Khomdram as a wanted man after a photograph showing him purportedly taking oath from a United National Liberation Front (UNLF) leader by holding the flag of the banned outfit went viral on the social media on June 2 last. Ratan had claimed that it was a doctored photograph saying the government was trying to suppress the pro-ILPS stir.
After his arrest, he had been undergoing medical treatment at the security ward of JNIMS here since August 31.
The district and sessions court of Imphal West released the former JCILPS leader on bail on furnishing bond of Rs 20,000 and two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each.
Earlier, the judgement on the criminal petition case filed by the former JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan challenging the criminal charges against him was reserved by the High Court of Manipur.
Respondents of the case are Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP Manipur, Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, Manipur Police PRO and Singjamei Police Station Officer-in-Charge.
Addressing media at Cheirap Cour complex, counsel for Khomdram, senior advocate Khaidem Mani said there are no materials that can support Khomdram as a criminal
