IT News
Imphal, Aug 16:
A team of Manipur police today picked up Human Rights activist Wahengbam Joykumar from his residence at Wangkhei, lmphal East District today morning at around 7.40 am and detained in the lmphal Police station till 9.40 am forcing him to apologies for posting a comment in his personal Facebook. He was however released without any charges.
Taking the matter seriously as it tantamount to arbitrary arrest and detention and erosion of democratic space in Manipur, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the United Nations (CSCHR) has put up the matter to the Manipur Human Rights Commission.
In a petition filed to the commission the Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights in Manipur and the United Nations (CSCHR) expressed deep concern terming the detention of Wahengbam Joykumar, who is also the President of M-PRIM (Manipur People’s Right to Information Movement), as arbitrary arrest.
“Even though he is released without pressing any charges, CSCHR is concerned that this is yet another instance of harassing the HRD and curbing the right to freedom of expression.
Over and above this specific case, CSCHR is also concerned at the recent spree of arbitrary arrest of citizens for posting comments critical to the government and issuing a memorandum dated 10 August 2020 by the Directorate of University and Higher Education blatantly curbing academic freedom”, the CSCHR said.
CSCHR urged the MHRC to advice the Government of Manipur that criticizing the government is the very essence of democratic Governance and erosion of democratic space in all spears of live will only arrest the moral growth of the society.
