Detained Manipur scribes released after apologising to authorities

IMPHAL: Manipur Police today released the two journalists who were detained over an article published in news portal The Frontier Manipur.

Editor-in-chief of Imphal-based The Frontier Manipur Sadokpam Dhiren and executive editor Paojel Chaoba were picked up on Sunday under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Police have charged the two of “supporting a terrorist organisation” under the UAPA.

The FIR said the author “openly endorsed revolutionary ideologies and activities and expressed shock at the deteriorating character of the armed revolutionaries of Manipur in the last decade”.

Clarifying that they were not arrested, police said: “They were detained, not arrested. After questioning, we have released them. But the case is not closed.”

Sources said, the two were released only after submitting an apology letter to the authorities.

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“Article titled – ‘Revolution in a mess’ was uploaded in our online news portal The Frontier Manipur. The source was unverified and came from a person called M Joy Luwang. I regret that the government finds the article questionable and I submit that it was an oversight from our part … There will be no such mistake which will not pass our scrutiny in the future,” Paojel Chaoba wrote to SP of Imphal West Police.

Earlier, a meeting was held between Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and Editors Guild of Manipur (EGM) and All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) on the matter.

A copy of the apology letter from the two journalists was also submitted with the chief minister.

The Editor’s Guild of India had termed the cases registered against the editors as a threat to free expression and democracy and demanded immediate release of the two.