“Why the government and the administration in Manipur is more interested in monitoring social media posts while wilfully ignoring the health crisis in the state,” PRJA wondered.
TFM Desk
Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) condemned the arbitrary arrest of its convenor Erendro Leichombam and journalist Wagkhemcha Wangthoi (aka Kishorchandra).
In a release on Wednesday, PRJA slammed the state government, stating that in the midst of the COVID pandemic where hundreds of people in Manipur are dying and thousands struggling to find basic healthcare facilities in the state, the N Biren Singh led BJP government, instead of focusing their energy and time in saving lives, is busy arresting people for comments on social media platforms and charging them under NSA.
“It is to be noted that PRJA Convenor Erendro Leichombam and journalist Wangkhemcha Wangthoi (aka Kishorchandra) have been charged under the draconian NSA just after their bail applications were heard by a court. The NSA order subsequently emerged the same day”.
The release further said that while the party is confident that the courts in Manipur will invalidate the charges labelled against the accused(s) as it has been done in all the past, it bears a serious contemplation of why the government and the administration in Manipur is more interested in monitoring social media posts while wilfully ignoring the health crisis in the state.
Maintaining that Article 14 under the Constitution of India is clear in its explanation of the Right to Freedom of Expression, PRJA said that using sedition charges on “frivolous” matters makes a mockery of the constitutional right of citizens and exposes the “oppressive” nature of the government and administration in Manipur which is unfortunate.