Erendro refuses to pay bail, remanded to judicial custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2018: Erendro Leichombam, convener of the Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) has been remanded to judicial custody till June 11, after he denied to pay the bail bond before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West Court today.

Erendro alleged that the biggest mistake of the BJP Government is failing to arrest those involved in making and uploading the inflammatory video and instead arresting those who were just sharing it.

Seven individuals who were arrested for their alleged involvement in circulating an inflammatory video clip which went viral on social media platforms like Whatsapp and Facebook were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West Court with a prayer for judicial custody remand, after their completion of three days in police custody.

A large number of people, including PRJA workers and family members of the arrested individuals Suresh Maisnam (33) s/o (L) Laingam of Kangmong Meisnam Leikai, Naresh Gurung s/o (L) Jang Bahadur of Pangei Nepali Basti (presently staying at Lamphel Sanakeithel), Rohit Das (29) s/o Shankar Das, Rinku Das (32) s/o Chitaranjan Das, both from Serou Bazar (presently staying in rent at Khoyathong), Kishan Malik (26) s/o Neetai Malik of Serou Bazar, Tongbram Meghachandra (43) s/o (L) Achou of Napet Palli, Leichombam Erendro (37) s/o Raghumani of Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai gathered at Cheirap Court complex as they were scheduled to be produced before the Court today.

A large number of police personnel (including women police) were deployed at the Court complex to prevent any kind of unwanted incident and the police pushed back the supporters and family members out of the Court complex.

The arrested individuals were brought in a prisoner van under heavy security by Imphal PS.

During the hearing, the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case (through APP) prayed for remanding the arrested individuals to judicial custody till June 11 for further investigation of the case.

The IO submitted that on May 25, an enquiry was taken up by Cyber Crime Imphal West about the circulation of a video clip threatening Manipuris, specially those residing outside the State, which has the potential to spread hatred.

In connection with the case, seven individuals, including PRJA convenor Leichombam Erendro, were arrested by the police for posting/sharing the video.

The IO further submitted that investigation so far conducted by the police revealed that the video clip was sent from Bihar by one Rupesh alias Babua Thakur (26) s/o Sanjay Thakur of Parora village, Shahebpur Kamal, Bihar to Manipur after which it became viral.

On the other hand, respective counsels of all the arrested individuals except Erendro, filed remand objections and bail prayers before the Court.

After hearing both sides and going through the case record, the Court announced that the arrested individuals are only involved in further circulation of the video after receiving it from their friends.

The Court further mentioned that it is clear the said individuals are not the ones responsible for making the video but their conducts are still condemnable as it helps in making the said video footage go viral even more.

However their intention in sharing the said video cannot be equated with the persons involved in making the video, the Court decided.

The Court also mentioned that it appears the arrested individuals sent the said video footage to caution the general public, mainly the Manipuris in Bihar or other places and other citizens living in Manipur.

The Court found no reason to remand the said individuals and released all of them on execution of a PR bond of Rs 5,000 each with a surety of same amount and on condition that they shall not abscond nor leave the State without permission of the Court nor do anything that can hamper or tamper with the investigation of the case and not to do anything similar to the offense they were charged with.

However, PRJA convener Leichombam Erendro denied to pay the bail bond and as such the Court remanded him to judicial custody at Sajiwa Central Jail till June 11.Speaking to media persons as he was being taken to the prisoner van, Erendro said that he would not pay for his bail bond and demanded his unconditional release.

He exclaimed that the present Government has become such that no individual or citizen can speak any word against it which is akin to keeping the public's mouth bound and gagged by those in power.

Erendro further blasted the BJP led Government and alleged that the developing situation is a gross injustice as there have been no news regarding any type of actions against those who created and uploaded the offensive and inflammatory video clip but the only action being taken up by the Government is arresting the individuals who circulated the said video which is a great failure on part of the Government.

After being taken inside the prisoner van, Erendro shouted 'Long live Manipur, down with BJP Government, Let's save the indigenous people of Manipur', which was echoed by a large number of people and supporters present at the Court complex.

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