Biren Singh critic arrested for ‘instigating violence’ in Manipur, several others picked up

The development comes barely a day after a PhD scholar was granted interim bail by a court in Imphal West, following her criticism of the state’s internet ban on Facebook. 

KARISHMA HASNAT, THE PRINT, 21 SEPTEMBER, 2024, Guwahati: Several individuals have been picked up by the Manipur Police for allegedly posting disparaging comments about Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and his government in the past 48 hours, ThePrint has learnt.

The development comes barely a day after a PhD scholar was granted interim bail by a court in Imphal West, following her criticism of the state’s internet ban on Facebook. 

Though the police have not made an official statement over the arrest of any civilian for objectionable content on social media, a Facebook post from the official page of Biren Singh showed a veiled picture of an individual who was supposedly “arrested for instigating violence and encouraging the public to disrupt peace”.

The name and identity of the individual were not made public, but an image was shared in the post with a message—’There is no need to raise slogans in the streets, no need for conducting any rally, no need for pelting stones—break down the BJP office, break down Biren’s party offices, break down the RSS office.’

“While we respect the right to free speech, any misuse of digital platforms to spread unrest or provoke harm will not be tolerated. We urge everyone to use social media responsibly and contribute to the peace and unity of Manipur,” the statement from the CM’s Facebook account read. 

A senior officer of the Manipur Police confirmed to ThePrint that “some social media users” were arrested on the charges of posting objectionable statements against the government. The officer, however, refused to specify how many individuals were picked up by the police.

Sources in the Manipur Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) also told ThePrint that “a bunch of people” were rounded up for making lewd comments against the CM and his government on social media platforms. The sources added that the content included fake news from multiple unverified accounts. 

On Wednesday, a Facebook group of Biren Singh supporters wrote with concern about social media users indulging in content against the State. To this, the CM’s official Facebook page responded stating that seven people have been arrested and that the government is looking out for more. 

Several videos doing the rounds on social media platforms showed four men standing in a line and clarifying their comments against the chief minister and his government.

In the video, the men took turns to apologise for what they thought could mislead the general public and assured that such acts won’t be repeated.

ThePrint cannot verify the authenticity of the videos.

The Manipur Police, in the past few years, booked several journalists in defamation cases and lodged criminal complaints against few others, including rights activists.

In the second week of September, unidentified gunmen “fired about ten rounds” outside the residence of senior Manipur journalist Yambem Laba’s residence in Imphal West.

Laba, the founder of a new political party, was in the news for his comments during a discussion on local television channels, in which he had said that “Manipur is not Biren and Biren is not Manipur” and that the choice before the people is either to “Save Manipur or to Save Biren”.

Still reeling from incidents of violence, civilians have taken to social media at various intervals, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister for failing to address the law and order situation.

In July, the Imphal Times, a daily English newspaper published in Manipur, had come out with an editorial critical of Biren Singh’s speech at the City Convention Center, wherein the CM cautioned social media users “against ridiculing and mocking leaders or producing speeches or videos deemed inappropriate for public consumption.”

It added that the commentary serves as “a stark warning to the people of Manipur, particularly those critical of the government, suggesting that even if legal avenues do not permit the arrest of those exercising their freedom of speech, alternative, extrajudicial methods could be employed.” 

“Such rhetoric underscores an intolerance towards criticism and an inability to address the government’s shortcomings, resorting instead to intimidation tactics. No wonder, Mr. Biren has garnered notoriety for his crackdown on social media critics,” the editorial had said.

Law & order situation fragile

On Friday, Manipur Police arrested three active cadres of the proscribed valley-based insurgent outfit, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) from Ghari Awang Leikai in Imphal West District. The arrested cadres were allegedly involved in extortion activities in Sekmai and Thangmeiband areas. The police recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.

On 19.09.2024 Manipur Police arrested 03 (three) active cadres of proscribed outfit KYKL from Ghari Awang Leikai, Imphal West District. The arrested cadres are identified as:

i.Maibam Bronson Singh (24 yrs) @ Ngamba @ Thambou
ii.Yumnam Lanchenba (21 yrs) @ Naoba
iii.⁠Soubam… pic.twitter.com/DVOrYlPbAY

— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 19, 2024

Also on Friday, joint search operations and area domination by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts led to the recovery of 7 IEDs weighing 28.5 kgs, and other items from Bongjang in Imphal East district.

Earlier Thursday evening, armed miscreants fired several rounds at the residence of former chief secretary Oinam Nabakishore in Bishnupur district. No casualties reported during the incident, but a part of the property has been damaged.

Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts. During the search operations the following items were recovered by Army and Manipur Police:

i.07 (seven) IEDs weighing 28.5 (twenty-eight and… pic.twitter.com/J4frqREZ09

— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 19, 2024

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far. A case has been registered at the Bishnupur police station and investigation has been launched, police said.

(Edited by Tony Rai)