Man assaulted for forwarding text, image on WhatsApp
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 28 2024: Meitei Leepun has been accused of abducting a man in his late 20s and harassing him for criticising Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a Whatsapp group.

Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club today, Jos Chongtham (27), a resident of Huikap in Imphal East, said that he was abducted by about 50 armed members of Meitei Leepun yesterday at around 10.25 am for forwarding an image with a text in a Whatsapp group "Be the change-We Support Oja Bimol" pertaining to the charges levelled on human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam.

He said that he criticised the Biren Singh Government over the matter.

Saying that about 50 members of Meitei Leepun came in 7/8 four-wheeler vehicles to his residence yesterday and abducted him, Jos added that he was blindfolded and taken towards Andro.

Jos also said that he wore only a vest and a short at the time he was abducted and his mobile phone was also taken by the abductors.

Continuing that he was made to sit in a chair at a particular spot after driving for an hour, he added that abductors asked him if he knew where he was.

"I responded that the place is Andro Torongthel," Jos said and added that two persons wielding guns approached him and wiped off sweat and dirt from his face.

Jos claimed that he was forced to clarify in a video message for his post while in captivity.

Claiming that the abductors wanted him to say that the post he forwarded was given to him by Bimol Akoijam, Thounaojam Brinda, RK Nimai, Yambem Laba and Malem Ningthouja to malign the image of the Government in the video message, Jos alleged that he was also made to say he acknowledge the war on drugs campaign and the drive against poppy plantation of the Government.

Jos went on to say that he was asked to sound genuine as he read out the statement.

Continuing that the members of Meitei Leepun also scrutinised the call log in his mobile phone and the Whatsapp message, Jos added that he responded to most of the questions which were asked to him.

He went on to claim that he was thrashed with sticks every time he was unable to respond to their question.

Jos alleged that he was beaten about 20 times.

Saying that his father was asked to pick him up from another place by the abductors, Jos added that he met his father at around 6 pm yesterday.

AMKIL president L Nganbi said that the organisation threatening and harassing a youth who thinks for the wellbeing of his State is unfortunate.

She said that Meitei Leepun may also be working in the interest of Manipur but what they have done is excessive.

Asking if the arms in the possession of Meetei Leepun were given by the Government, she said that using arms to threaten fellow people instead of safeguarding the State is condemnable.

Representatives of AMKIL, Nupi Samaj, Tammi-Chingmi, NLANL, NIMPAL, ANUL Bishnupur, TDUWDO, MACHA LEIMA, EECHAL, EEVFAM, PKWWO and PKWVWU were also present at the press meet.

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