NEFIS condemns
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 08 2018:
The North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has strongly condemned the arrest of Kishorechandra Wangkhem.
A statement of NEFIS termed the action a draconian step aimed at suppressing dissent and instilling fear among those who oppose the ruling system.
It can be recalled that Wangkhem was arrested on November 27 on charges of sedition under the National Security Act (NSA) and sent to jail.
It should be known that the day before, he was granted bail in the case by a CJM Court in Imphal West, which had maintained that the remarks were an "expression of opinion against the Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of Manipur" and cannot be termed as seditious.
While not supporting the indecent language used by the journalist, NEFIS said that it however stands by the journalist's right to freedom of expression.
The detention order used to arrest Wangkhem which stated that he was arrested 'with a view to prevent him from acting in any matter prejudicial to the security of the State and to the maintenance of the public order', is unsustainable jurisprudentially, said the statement.
The arrest makes its known that an argument of whatsoever nature, will not be tolerated by the authority or those in power and it should be seen against the backdrop of similar incidents of curbing of dissent by the Central and State Governments across the country, it added.
NEFIS demanded the authority concerned to release the arrested journalist immediately and revoke the sedition charges under NSA against him.
Stating that NEFIS will be undertaking campaign to build people's unity against such draconiati act, it urged each and every journalists to rise to the occasion to defend the right to speech and dissent.