By Anjuman Ara Begum
Case details forwarded by AHRC quoting Human Rights Alert, a Manipur based human rights organization:
On 28th December 2010, a person claiming to be representing the Kangleipak Communist Party (Tabungba Meitei group) or KCP (Tabungba) telephoned Mr. Ahongsangbam Mobi Singh and asked him to send three members of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) to New Delhi to discuss matters regarding the publication of statements to be issued by the KCP (Tabungba). The KCP (Tabungba) is an armed militant organization operating in Manipur. The Government of India, listing the organisation as one of the armed militant groups in India, has prohibited its activities in the country. Singh, in the capacity of the Editor of Sanaleibak represents the AMWJU as its Vice-President and its spokesperson. The AMWJU is an apex body of professional journalists in Manipur.
Since the AMWJU has been refusing to publish any statements by the armed militant groups operating in the region, Singh initially refused to comply with the request and also informed the caller that the AMWJU did not have any money to undertake such travel. Hearing this, the caller informed Singh that the KCP (Tabungba) was willing to cover the travel expenses. Singh was then asked to collect the money, Rupees 50,000.00, the next day, from a place where the caller informed Singh the representatives of the KCP (Tabungba) would meet him.
The following morning, at about 9am, Singh arrived at his office and within a short while received a call from a person who claimed that he was calling concerning the discussion that Singh had with the KCP (Tabungba). The caller informed Singh that he was to collect the amount promised the day before from the KCP (Tabungba) from the persons who would meet him in front of Singh's office. Soon two persons in a cycle rickshaw came to the road in front of Singh's office. When Singh met them, they pointed a pistol at Singh and soon a scuffle started between Singh and the two persons. Singh initially thought that the two persons were trying to kidnap him for ransom or for other criminal purposes, as it is common in Manipur. However, soon the two persons pulled out their photo identification cards and informed him that they were from the Manipur State Police Commando Unit and that they were not from the KCP (Tabungba).
At this time Singh received another call. The caller asked whether Singh received the money. The police officers, at gunpoint, instructed Singh to inform the caller that he had received the money for the travel. Having no other option, Singh complied. Once the call was over, the police officers searched Singh and recovered Rupee 2000.00 from him. The officers also took two mobile telephones that Singh possessed and also the key to his scooter. Then the officers took Singh to Imphal Police Station. They also took Singh's scooter, which he had parked in front of his office building.
At the police station, one of the officers who arrested Singh, Mr. Ng. Robash Singh, filed a first information statement to the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Imphal Police Station. In this statement, the officer accused that Singh was operating on behalf of the KCP (Tabungba) and is engaged in extorting money from civilian businessmen in town. The officer produced Rupees 50,000.00 to the OC alleging that he had recovered the same from Singh. The officer who filed the statement, Robash, is a Sub-Inspector stationed at the Imphal West Police Commando Unit.
Upon learning of the arrest, members from the AMWJU met Singh at the Imphal Police Station in presence of the Additional Superintendent of Police, Mr. A. K Jhaljit on the same day. Singh informed his colleagues of what had happened. In the meanwhile the Imphal police registered a criminal case against Singh, based on the allegations in the statement filed by the police officer against Singh. The FIR, number 575(12)2010, registered against Singh, accused him of offenses under Sections 17 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention), Act, 1967, meaning Singh was working in support of, or on behalf of, terrorist organizations. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal yesterday released Singh on bail.
Developments following Mobi’s arrest:
The AMJWU organized sit-in-protest and an indefinite strike on 31st December. No newspaper was published in Imphal till 4th January 2011. On 4th January, the Chief Judicial Magistrate released Singh on bail. Following his bail, strike was withdrawn. Journalists in north east India work under extreme insecure environment. Several journalists have been killed in this region. In Assam 19 journalists have been killed in last two decades and six journalists have been shot dead in Manipur in the recent past.
via TwoCircles.net
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