Demanding release of journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem : Press Conference
Date : January 20th, 2018
Demanding immediate release of journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem detained under NSA : A Press Conference
Kishorechandra Wangkhem, a journalist in Manipur, was arrested under National (in)Security Act (NSA) on November 27, 2018, for a video he uploaded on social media. In the video, Kishorechandra is seen criticizing the N. Biren Singh government for comparing the fight of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi against the British with that of Manipur’s freedom movement against the colonial rule.
The government’s decision to detain the journalist under NSA came as a shock to the journalist and human rights community because on November 26, a day before his detention under NSA, a lower court hearing a charge of sedition brought against Wangkhem for the same video had released him on bail stating that what was said in the video was not seditious in nature.
Less than 24 hours after he was released on court’s order, Kishorechandra was picked up by local police and later charged under the NSA.
We, at the Human Rights Law Network, have organized a Press Conference condemning this attack on free speech and journalism. We request you to grace the panel.
Speaker are :
1) Ranjita Elangbam wife of Keshorchand
2) Shreeji Bavsar , Supreme Court Advocate, Representing Kesorchand's case( one of the lawers defending Keshorchand )
3) Rakesh Meihoubam, Director ,HRLN, Manipur Unit
4) Laxmi Murti , Senior Journalist Based in Banglore
5) Aditi Saxena , Lawyer , Based in Mumbai
Date: January 20th, 2018.
Venue: Manipur Press Club , Imphal , Manipur State
Time: 10.am
Agenda of the press conference
1) Demanding immediate release of journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem detained under NSA
2) brief on Defend the defenders initiative -
3) to inform HRLN stand and legal support to the Journalists and Human Rights Defenders, Media organisations
4) informing about another Press Meet and public meeting at Press club of India on 29th January 2019
Dr. Seram Rojesh
Communication Oficer
HRLN
* This info was sent to e-pao.net by Seram Rojesh who can be contacted at seram(AT)hrln(DOT)org
This Post is webcasted on January 20 2019
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