Newmai News Network
Imphal | December 27
Several local newspapers have been boycotted by Manipur University Student Union (MUSU) in the university campus since December 24 in connection with the arrest of journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem.
It can be noted here that Imphal Free Press and Imphal Times are the only two newspapers exempted from the boycott call by the MUSU.
According to MUSU, several local newspapers remained silent when the journalist was arrested. The student body also condemned All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) for “ignoring” the issue.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Alert (HRA) has petitioned the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Opinion and Expression requesting the latter “to issue an urgent appeal to release Kishorechandra Wangkhem held under National Security Act for criticizing the BJP-government of India”.
According to HRA, on November 19, Wangkhem, working with the Information Service Television Network (ISTV), posted a video on his personal Facebook account “expressing his anger and frustration with the BJP-led government celebrating Rani Jhanshi, which has little to do with the freedom struggle of Manipur”. The HRA further said that the journalist had “expressed his indignation toward the Hindutva ideology, which seeks to obliterate the distinct history and identity of Manipur into a monolithic pan-Hindu identity of India”. On November 21, Kishorechandra was arrested by Manipur police by filing FIR no. 236(11)2018 Imphal Police Station under section 124-A/294 and 500 of Indian Penal Code, the HRA added.
According to the HRA, on November 27 Kishorechandra was arrested under the National Security Act3 (NSA) by an order of the District Magistrate of West Imphal. He has been detained under the NSA for a period of 12 months.
‘The National Security Act has been enacted to provide for Preventive Detention separate from the regular criminal procedure in India,” the HRA petition said, adding, “The National Security Act 1980 allows the State or Union Government to detain a person on being ‘satisfied’ that they might act in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India, the relations of India with foreign powers, the security of India or maintenance of public order”. The HRA also mentioned in its petition that the detention under the Act can last a maximum of up to 12 months without the detainee being presented before a court of law.
Meanwhile, condemnations from various quarters continue to pour in on the arrest of the journalist.
