Imphal, September 07, 2009: Condemning the arrest of the party's general secretary (finance) Yumnam Khemchand by the police and subsequent detention under NSA, Legislative Wing leader of MPP O Joy has categorically stated that his party would not plead to the Govt for releasing Khemchand but allow the law court and the people of Manipur to pass their judgement.

After the arrest of 49-year old Khemchand from his Yumnam Leikai Lairembi Maning residence by the police on August 4 on alleged charge of firing his gun in public place and apprehensive of move to secure release on bail, District Magistrate of Imphal West today issued an order declaring detention of Khemchand under section 3(2) of National Security Act, 1980. Khemchand was produced before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate today afternoon and later remanded to judicial custody.

Khemchand is being projected as the candidate of MPP from Singjamei Assembly Constituency in the upcoming 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

Talking to mediapersons at the party office here later during the day, Joy said detention of Khemchand under NSA and lodging him in jail after being arrested on alleged charge of opening fire and creating panic among the people smacks of a political conspiracy.

He asserted that the Government had issued the license gun to Khemchand after proper verification of the application submitted in view of threats on his life from various quarters and he had opened fire to protect himself.

If that is illegal, then what is the point of issuing license gun ? Joy asked.

Contending that detention of Khemchand under NSA for having fired his license gun to protect himself is irrational, Joy also demanded to know why the MLAs of the ruling parties who opened fire at Babupara should not be similarly booked on alleged charge of creating panic among the people.

What did the Govt do at the time of firing several round of gun shots to celebrate the wedding of one the sons of a Minister ?, he further questioned, while reiterating that the arrest and subsequent detention of Khemchand smacks of a political conspiracy at the highest level that should be condemned outrightly.

It is also against the spirit of democracy, he added.

Nonetheless, Joy said that MPP is not worried over the detention of Khemchand and the party would not say anything to the Government begging for his release.

Let the law court and the public do the judgement and MPP would not relent from ongoing agitation against the Government.

Party president Dr Nimaichand Luwang said deliberate detention of Khemchand under NSA to prevent any bail move has given an impetus to the ongoing public agitation.

After the leaders of the Apunba Lup which is leading public movement, Khemchand has become the first political leader who has been slapped with NSA in the ongoing agitation.

This is nothing but an attempt of the Government to suppress the public movement and it should be condemned, Dr Nimaichand added.

He also informed that a joint meeting of the office bearers of party held today has decided not to appeal to the Government for securing the release of Khemchand but to challenge the illegal detention in the law court.

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