Booked under the NSA, Manipur journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem has spent 100 days in jail

Manipur journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem has spent 100 days in jail after being charged under the National Security Act for his criticism of the Manipur government.

Wangkhem was arrested last November for putting up a video where he called Manipur CM N Biren Singh a “puppet of Modi and Hindutva” in the context of an event organised in Manipur on the birth anniversary of the Rani of Jhansi. His wife Ranjita says the family has resolved to fight his arrest legally.

Speaking to Indian Express, she said, “We will not resort to any backdoor method. When he was arrested earlier in August 2018, the bail granted was on medical grounds and we did not fight it out legally because we were misguided. And because of that, the tag of ‘repeat offender’ is hounding him.” Wangkhem’s arrest last August was for his “inflammatory posts” on Facebook.

Ranjita said: “The last 100 days have changed me. I am more aware of what is happening in society. Earlier my focus used to be only my family and my children. Now I also look at human rights issues, and interacting with lawyers and activists.” Wangkhem’s lawyer, Chongtham Victor, also told Indian Express, “The honourable court’s order is ‘reserved’ as of now. It was scheduled on March 4. We have appealed that the arrest is illegal. I met him two weeks back, and he is fine. We all have complete faith in the judicial system.”

The journalistic fraternity has ralled behind Wangkhem. Over 60 journalists wrote to the Manipur CM in December asking for his release. In the same month, the Delhi police had also detained 35 students who were holding a protest against Wangkhem’s arrest at Manipur Bhawan in the capital.