PWF for unconditional release of Shamjai
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 30 2023:
Dismayed over arrest of Kangleipakki Meira chief editor Wangkhemcha Shamjai, Paomee Welfare Foundation (PWF) demanded immediate and unconditional release of Wangkhemcha Shamjai.
Paomee Welfare Foundation (PWF) is a welfare trust for members of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) while Shamjai is the current chairperson of PWF.
According to a statement of PWF, Shamjai was picked up by police on Friday morning (Dec 29) from his residence for an article published in Kangleipakki Meira, a vernacular evening daily, of which Shamjai is the chief editor.
The PWF considers that if the said article questions the government's role in the current ethnic crisis and has reported an incident that had not taken place, a defamatory lawsuit and not an arrest without trial should have been initiated so that due process of law is allowed to weigh his guilt or innocence before penalty is awarded, the statement said and demanded immediate and unconditional release of Shamjai from police custody.
It also said that due process of law should be allowed to decide the case.