Editor of the Hueiyen Lanpao Dhanabir Maibam was detained for reporting on the state of law and order in Tengnoupal’s border town of Moreh. Moreh, with a Kuki-Zo majority, borders Myanmar.
The editor of a local daily was detained by Manipur police on suspicion of inciting conflict between factions and engaging in criminal conspiracy. This is the second high-ranking arrest of a journalist in the conflict-ridden region in as many days.
Editor of the Hueiyen Lanpao Dhanabir Maibam was taken into custody by Imphal West police on Friday morning and charged with several offences under the Official Secrets Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The sections include 505(1)(b) (act inciting/likely to incite any person to) and 153A (promoting hatred between groups on grounds of religion or race).
perpetrate an offense against the government or the peace of the people) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
Although there was no success in getting in touch with the police, reports from Imphal stated that Maibam, who was in his mid-50s, had been arrested in order to report on the state of law and order in the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal. Moreh, a Kuki-Zo majority area, borders Burma.
The sections are as follows: 505(1)(b) (act inducing/likely to incite any person to commit an offense against the State or against public tranquility), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 153A (promoting animosity between groups on grounds of religion or race).
Although there was no success in getting in touch with the police, reports from Imphal stated that Maibam, who was in his mid-50s, had been arrested in order to report on the state of law and order in the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal. Moreh, a Kuki-Zo majority area, borders Burma.
Known for voicing his opinions, Maibam has been placed under arrest for three days. The newspaper’s editorial page was left blank on Saturday in protest.
According to its official website, the Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publications was founded in 1978 and is among the oldest media outlets in the Northeast and Manipur.
Keisham Meghachandra, the president of the State Congress, was one of many who disapproved of the arrest.
He remarked, “I strongly condemn the arrest of Editor Dhanabir Maibam of Huieyen Lanpao by Manipur BJP govt.” in a late-night post on X. I demand his unconditional and immediate release. In Manipur, there is no freedom of speech for journalists. The police have been harassing journalists and other media personnel for a long time.
The arrest of Maibam occurs just a a week following the detention of another seasoned journalist, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, a former president of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and editor of a daily evening.
In a suo motu complaint filed by the Imphal police, Shyamjai was taken into custody on December 29 for allegedly “publishing instigating and unverified news items” during the turmoil. He was placed under arrest for three days by a local court, but on December 31 he was granted release.
At an official function on Saturday at Moirang College in the Bishnupur district, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated that the government has been putting forth “all possible efforts for the betterment of the people” impacted by the ongoing conflict and has “sought the support” and cooperation of the public for the restoration of peace in the state.
