Manipur Ethnic Violence: Youth Killed In Gunfight, Editor Arrested For ‘Instigating Riots’

The reports said a volunteer on guard duty in Kadangband area of Imphal West district was killed Saturday after a gunfight with unidentified gunmen. In another incident, the police arrested Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, the editor of vernacular daily Kangleipaki Meira, for allegedly publishing provocative news, IE reported.

It is said the charges against Shyamjai include the intent to cause a riot, and to outrage religious sentiment.

The report quoting police officials said Shyamjai, who was arrested Friday based on suo motu action by the officer in-charge of Imphal police station, was remanded in police custody until December 31.

It said the editor was arrested after a preliminary inquiry found his newspaper was publishing “instigating and unverified” news amid the ethnic conflict.

Earlier on December 2, Manipur BJP vice president Laishram Meenabanta Singh had filed a complaint accusing Shyamjai’s newspaper of instigating hate.

In a joint statement, the All Manipur Journalists’ Union, of which Shyamjai was a former chief, and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) condemned his arrest and demanded his immediate release.

Kadangband, which was among the areas affected by the ethnic violence that broke out on May 3, borders the Kuki Zo-dominated Kangpokpi district.

The above report quoting sources said the man, “Jamesbond Ningombam, 35, was part of a group of village volunteers guarding the locality early Saturday when they were attacked by armed men.”.

It added the gunfight lasted till morning in which Ningombam was left dead.

Over 200 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ethnic violence in the state so far.?

On December 4, bullet-riddled bodies of 13 men were recovered in an interior part of Tengnoupal district, hours after security forces received inputs of a gunfight having taken place.