KSO-GHQ condemns arrest of scribe
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Kangpokpi, November 18 2015:
Kuki Students' Organization, General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) on Wednesday strongly condemned the alleged "abduction and detention" of the Assistant Editor of "Khohui", a monthly newsmagazine by personnel of Manipur police commandos on Tuesday.
KSO-GHQ General Secretary Seiboi Haokip alleged that the assistant editor, who had gone to collect a news clip of a CNN IBN interview with the SoO group KNO for use in his newsmagazine articles was accosted by the commandos the moment he came out of Onil's house.
The commandos then whisked the scribe away like a criminal and placed him under detention where he was subjected to physical and mental torture before he was released this morning, Seiboi further alleged.
Seiboi continued that the scribe had gone to the human activist's house in good faith for information but the whole gamut turns out to be a plot against him.
The student body wants the police to investigate and apprehend the informant who had colluded with the commandos against the innocent scribe while adding that this is not the first time that commandos meted out unwarranted harassment to Kuki journalists.
"It is tantamount to act of discrimination and also a disrespect of journalism ethics", Seiboi Haokip asserted while warning that the police commandos should mend their ways if they wish to avoid unwanted reaction from the Kuki public.
The student body also appeals to the press fraternity to stand beside the assistant editor against this injustice.
Widely circulated monthly news magazine KHOHUI, is a popular news magazine among the Kuki community published from Saikul under the editorship of Limkhongam Kipgen, where Mangneo Touthang is the Asst.
Editor of the magazine.
Speaking to media person in Kangpokpi, Mangneo Touthang said that I went to Onil's residence to collect some news clips of CNN IBN interview with the SoO group KNO on Tuesday evening at around 3:30 pm.
Mangneo said "When I reached his residence, Onil was with one of his friend and they offered me a cup of tea while he (Onil) had been endlessly busy with his phone talking to someone and added that when I was about to leave after getting the news clips, Onil asked some photos from me and I readily transfer those photos in his laptop while he kept on talking with someone in his phone" .
He further narrated that after transferring all those photos, "Onil and his friend then dropped me up to the main gate and immediately closed the gate the moment I cross it" .
"To my amazement, the commandos accosted me not long enough when I departed from Onil residence in my two wheeler near Keishamthong", Mangneo added.
He also said that the security force whisked me away after taking all my belonging including my cell phone, laptop, and camera, which they gave me back this morning when I was released.
Mangneo also said that when I was detained at the Commando Barrack they physically assaulted me alleging that I belong to "this and that party even after disclosing my identity" .
"I am completely upset with all the uncalled-for happenings upon me while I am devoted and sincere enough towards my profession", Mangneo lamented while conveying gratitude to all those involved in his release.
Khohui Editor Limkhongam Kipgen also expressed his dismay over the incident and beseeched the police department to eschew such unjustifiable mistreatment towards the innocent journalists of the state who has been tirelessly working for the welfare of the people.
The Editor also expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has provided assistance and involved in his safe release.