Imphal, February 28: In a sudden development, the district authority of Imphal East has detained Chingsubam Akaba, the president of Meetei Eyek Erol Loinasillon Apunba Lup (MEELAL) under the National Security Act (NSA), even as the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Imphal has remanded him to further judicial custody till March 14.District Magistrate of Imphal East KK Chhetry passed the order to detain Akaba under NSA by invoking the power conferred on him under sub-section 3 of Section 3 of National Security Act, 1980.The District Magistrate issued the order after considering the police report stating that Akaba is acting in a manner prejudicial to maintenance of public order.

Over one lakh Manipuri language text books written in Bengali script have been reportedly burnt by MEELAL activists during the course of their agitation to replace Bengali script text books with Meetei Mayek (original Manipuri script) from the current academic session in all the schools and colleges in the State.

In the subsequent crackdown against the agitators, police have so far taken into custody 138 Mayek activists from different parts of the State.

Police contended that the ongoing agitation of burning Manipur text books written in Bengali script is being carried out at the instigation of Akaba and the books are being taken forcefully from the students.

The police report also quoted a statement made by Akaba and published in the State dailies wherein he swore to abolish Bengali script from the surface of Manipur.

Porompat police registered an FIR case against him under section 384/427/435/506/124-A/153-A/120-B IPC 3PDPP Act and 7 Cril Law Amendment Act.

The 60-year old Mayek activist, who was rounded by the police from his Soibam Laikai resident on Thursday last, was produced before the Court of CJM today.

Though the Court granted bail on health ground, Akaba failed to furnish the necessary bail bonds and hence he was remanded to further judicial custody.

The bail application filed in the Court of CJM said that Akaba is suffering from diabetes and was under serious medical supervision.

The advocate, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while pleading for granting bail, asserted that no incriminating evidence or materials have been found which could implicate the accused during police investigation.

Akaba is a social worker and he has been doing a great service for development and revival of the State�s culture, tradition and script for the last forty years, his counsel said.

He has never committed or attempted to commit any offence that could develop hatred and enmity amongst the people, the advocate further said, adding that all the charges levelled against him are baseless.

Having heard all the parties, the Court released Akaba on bail on medical ground on a PR bond of Rs 10,000 with a surety of the same amount.

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