Freed only to be detained- Supporters demand Kangleipal release

The Telegraph, Kolkotta

Kangleipal at Imphal West court on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Imphal, May 13: Rights activist Sapamcha Kangleipal, who was arrested for criticising the Manipur government’s decision to arm civilians, was released on bail by an Imphal court today. He was, however, detained under the National Security Act immediately after his release.

Police arrested Kangleipal on May 7 for criticising the Okram Ibobi Singh government’s decision to set up special police officer units (village forces) at Heirok in Thoubal district and Chajing in Imphal West district.

The Manipur Forward Youth Front called a 24-hour general Manipur strike from midnight tonight in protest against Kangleipal’s detention.

Kangleipal, who had organised a public discussion on arming civilians that day and had spoken on the issue at a news meet on May 5, was charged with making seditious statements and booked under various sections of the IPC, Punjab Security Act and the Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act.

Observing that the police could not substantiate the charges, the court of the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West, M. Padmeshore, ordered the activist’s release on bail.

To ensure that Kangleipal does not walk free, the police came to the court armed with an order by the Imphal West district magistrate, A. Ibocha Singh, for the activist’s detention under the National Security Act.

In his order, the district magistrate said Kangleipal’s activities were “prejudicial to maintenance of public order” and it was necessary to detain him to prevent him from acting in this manner.

There have been angry protests in the state ever since Kangleipal’s arrest. Even today, as police vans were coming out of the court complex, a group of protesters, mostly women, demonstrated at its gate.

Kangleipal’s mother Ibemcha Devi, who had come to protest against her son’s arrest, shouted at the police: “My son is innocent. Why are you arresting and detaining him under the National Security Act? Can’t anyone speak against the government?”

“Release Kangleipal,” others shouted, even as some women lay down on the ground to block the police vans.

However, the police managed to clear the path for the vans by forcing the protesters to move away. The latter continued to shout slogans against the Okram Ibobi Singh government even after the police vehicles sped away from the court complex.

A large number of police personnel was deployed inside and outside the court complex to prevent any outbreak of violent protest.

Before Kangleipal was brought to court, the police asked the protesters to leave the complex.

Submitted by anivar on Wed, 2008-05-14 14:20.
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