Manipur Journalist Arrested under NSA sentenced to 12 Months

Guwahati, December 19, 2018:

An Imphal journalist, Kishorechandra Wangkhem, who had been arrested on November 26 under the National Security Act (NSA), has been sentenced yesterday for a period of 12 months, the longest period of time allowed under the act.

The journalist, who was arrested under sections 294 and 500 of the IPC in addition to section 124 A, is accused of making inflammatory comments against the BJP-led state government on social media. In a rant laced with expletives, he had criticized CM N. Biren Singh’s move to organize a function to commemorate Rani Lakshmi Bai’s fight against the British which had been linked to the Manipur freedom struggle.

In view of the incident, Kishorechandra has also been sacked by his employers, ISTV, a local news channel.

Hearings on the matter were conducted by the advisory board of the NSA and a report was submitted on December 13 to the authorities, approving his detention. He was arrested under sections 294 and 500 of the IPC in addition to section 124 A, which deals with sedition. The Indian Journalists Union and the Press Council of India have condemned Kishorechandra’s detention and are demanding his release.