Hard stand, hard decision
- Imphal Times Editorial :: December 04 2018 -

It was a tough and hard stand but the spirit of voicing for the voiceless seem to be history as those in the profession now forget that we don’t have friends or foes but we should stand for the truth and truth only.

It is easy making a wrong to right, it depends on the technique of the person whom he wanted to be wrong if he can make a good speech.

But one much remember when Jesus asked to throw stone first by the person who had never committed any sin, nobody comes forwards.

Using derogatory, defamatory, obscenity language against someone or need to be punished as per the law of the land. But there should be a voice if inappropriate punishment is given to not only those in specific profession but to any common citizens.

The concern is not about the abusive language which Mr. Wangkhem Kishorchand uploaded but it is about whether it is relevant to book him under National Security Act (NSA).

After all the charges of Sectioned 124-A against him has been ruled out by CJM Imphal West saying that the video uploaded by Mr. Kishorchand does not attract the said act.

The video which Kishorchand uploaded is ‘utter disregard’ of AMWJU’s resolutions adopted at its Standing Committee meeting held in August last, was what President of the AMWJU clarified on why the Union remain quiet in the matter.

He pointed out that as per the resolution any person working in a media houses of Manipur as journalist/non journalist must face on his/her own consequences of posting/ uploading derogatory, defamatory, illegal, unconstitutional, etc. comment/video on social media that is not connected with the profession of journalism in whatsoever manner, and that AMWJU will not be responsible for it at all.

“His detention under NSA after granting him bail by the CJM, Imphal West doesn’t in any manner change the stand of AMWJU” he also affirmed.

Well for using defamatory and abusive language in the video, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal West had already accepted that he is punishable and as per the law of the land he was released on bail with PR bond of Rs. 70,000/- with surety of the same amount on condition that he shall not leave the state of Manipur without prior permission of the court.

AMWJU silence to this matter is justified but when he was re-arrested and detain under NSA, one wander why the journalist fraternity should remain quite on the ground that he had violated the resolution of the standing committee of the state.

The CJM Imphal West already stated that section 124-A is not attracted with the viral video he uploaded.

In an interview to Chief Minister N. Biren Singh by TNT, his replied is that Kishorchand is no more a journalist he has been shacked on Nov. 19, 2018.

Well the question right now is whether the detention of Wangkhemcha Kishorchand under NSA is legitimate or not.

How come Kishorchand is a threat to our National Security?

Even if he has been terminated from his firm house and even if he is accepted as a common man, why we as a common man should not opposed his detention under NSA.

Keeping in mind that anybody who speaks against the government could face the music of the same kind at any time, why the people in the media community which represent the peoples’ voice shouldn’t question the kind of detention.