By Iboyaima Laithangbam

Source: thehindu.com

The BJP-led coalition government in Manipur is facing mounting pressure from the Indian Journalists Union, the Press Council of India and students' organisations to release Kishorechand Wangkhemcha, a journalist with a local cable network, who was arrested on November 27 under the National Security Act.

He was arrested for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for observing the birth anniversary of the Rani of Jhansi in Imphal.

The journalist had contended in a message posted on a social networking site that the Rani of Jhansi had nothing to do with Manipur and that the day was observed here at the Centre's behest.

A Chief Judicial Magistrate court of Imphal West had on November 26 released him on bail, but the government arrested him the next day under the NSA.

Story first appeared in thehindu.com on 6th Dec 2018