IMPHAL: Imphal-based journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem in 12-month custody for allegedly “targeting” the BJP-led state government, PM Modi and the BJP in a social media post.
The state police booked him under the National Security Act (NSA) and he was sentenced to a 12-month jail term – the maximum period of detention allowed under the Act, NDTV reported.
39-year-old Kishorechandra has been taken into custody in response to a video he uploaded on social media, “expression of opinion against the Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of Manipur.” Since then he has been lodged is at the central jail in Sajiwa, on the outskirts of Imphal.
He reportedly used foul language calling Mr Singh a “puppet of the Centre” and a “puppet of Hindutva”.
In multiple video clips, uploaded on November 19 in both English and Meitei language, Wangkhem purportedly said: “I am saddened and shocked to learn that the present government of Manipur is observing birth anniversary of Rani of Jhansi. And the chief minister himself claims that the BJP government is observing this for her role in unification of India or her role in the freedom struggle. But…she has nothing to do with Manipur. You are observing this because the Centre asked you to do this,” the journalist allegedly said.
Before posting the controversial remarks on Facebook, Kishorechandra reportedly resigned from his job with the ISTV, a local news channel.
Wangkhem’s 12-month detention, the maximum period under the National Security Act is expected to be challenged by his family, in court, soon.