Manipur based journalist, activist booked under NSA for posts after death of state BJP chief

Manipur police have booked journalist Kishorechandra Wankhem and activist Erendro Leichombam following the order issued by the District Magistrate of Imphal West district.

Th. Kirankumar, District Magistrate of Imphal West said in his order issued on Monday that, “I am satisfied from the police report that Sri Wankhemcha Wangthoi alias Kishorchandra (41), who is now in police custody, is likely to be released on bail in the near future and that, he would resume activities which are prejudicial to the security of the state and to the maintenance of public order on being released on bail and that therefore, he should be prevented from commission of such prejudicial activities through an alternative preventive measures…..make this order directing the above said person, who was remanded in police custody and is now lodged in Imphal police station, be detained under Section 3(2) of National Security Act, 1980 until further orders, as and when he is released on bail.”

Based on an FIR lodged by Manipur state BJP vice-president Usham Deban and general secretary P Premananda Meetei Manipur police on Thursday night had arrested journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem (41-year-old) and activist Erendro Leichombam (40) from their houses.

Kishorchandra Wangkhem and Erendro Leichombam were arrested by the Manipur police under Section 153-A/505(b)(2) of IPC and r/w 295-A/503/504/34 of IPC.

In 2018, journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem was arrested under the NSA after he posted a video on Facebook and criticized Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In April 2019, Kishorechandra Wankhem had walked out from jail.