Wangkhem’s wife Ranjita told the media that the High Court has ordered the release and she is waiting for a copy of the order.
(Photo: Facebook/@Taibang Ngaakpi)
The Manipur High Court on Monday ordered the release of Imphal-based journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem from National Security Act (NSA) detention.
Wangkhem was detained in November 2018 for a Facebook post in which he castigated Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for comparing the Manipuri freedom movement to that of Rani Laxmibai. He also allegedly used abusive words for the CM, the BJP and RSS.
Wangkhem’s wife Ranjita told the media that the High Court has ordered the release and she is waiting for a copy of the order.
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Ranjita expressed hopes that Wangkhem might be out of jail by evening today.
Hearing a petition for the journalist’s release filed by his wife, the High Court had reserved its judgement on 4 March.
Wangkhem worked with the ISTV, an Imphal-based news channel, before his first arrest on sedition charges on 21 November. He was released on bail on 26 November but was arrested on 27 November under the NSA.
Following his detention, Wangkhem reportedly wrote a letter to the Union Home Ministry pleading that his action was not in any manner prejudicial to the security of the nation or to the maintenance of public order.
In his letter Wangkhem argued that criticising the government is a part of the freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 19(1) of the Constitution.
On 6 April, the American Bar Association Centre for Human Rights (ABACHR) issued a statement condemning Wangkhem’s imprisonment. In its statement, ABACHR said that Wangkhem was being held in violation of international law.
“Police documents, the NSA Arrest Order, and submissions by the government during the habeas corpus proceedings improperly cite legitimate expressions of opinion – Facebook videos in which Mr. Wangkhem cursed and criticized the ruling party – as the predicate for detention,” ABACHR said.
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